Foundations of stigma

stigma definiton - Goffman

discredeting attribute ot mark that reduces an individual from a whole and usual person to a tainted discounted one

• pereceived as less competent

• feeling pressured to hide, conceal part of their identity

historical background

• ancient greek word “mark” made on skin with a burning iron

• use to expose a tainted moral status and should be avoided (slave, criminal)

what is stigma

has often be conceptualised in terms social categorisation

• observers categorise in terms of a deviant social category and then associate the negative stereotypes surrounding this category to the individual

stigma is not always inherently attached to an attribute, person that is objective

• rather it is socially constructed by observers

can vary depending on situations and observers

• culturical / historical / demographic differences in what i stigmatised and how

can occur at multiple levels

• indivual, organsiation, industry, work

where does stigma come from ?

• from person

• from workplac issues

stigma from person

disability, race, sexual orientation

→ often not related to job workplace

stigma from workplace issues

• emerging from an occupation, industry

• easier to overcome than person stigma

→ often we talk about dirty work

dirty work - stigma from workplace issues

1. physical taint

• associated with dirty things (waste, blood, body parts)

• nurses, slaughterhouse worker

2. social taint

• derives from association with other individuals themselves stigmatised

• prison guards, social guards

3. moral taint

• derives from task that have a duntious virtue

• casino worker

consequences of stigma

psychology based

• stress exhaustion, burnout, decreased job satisfaction

• not only driven by others but also by oneself

→ self stigma

behavior based

• social rejection, harrasment, bullying

practically based

• high turnover, high unemployment

self stigma

internalised societal beliefs that build stigma

creates

• lower self worth

• higher crutiny

• feelings of being a misfit

additional remarqs on stigma

there has been a growing interest in the opportunities associated with stigma

• double edge sword → may be opposed or celebrated by dif cultures

in some situations one may strategically embrace stigma

• oportunity for identity growth, experienced pride

even in the face of stigma one can make the best out og a challenging situation

→ stigma remains a highly negative and damaging experience