NORML and NAAFA.

1. What is Stigma – Goffman (1963) defines as “the situation of the individual who is disqualified from social acceptance” potentially a spoiled identity which means the person’s public persona, or self, either has never been or is no longer accepted as qualified full social membership by those who would stigmatize (the relevant audience).

2. Dimensions of stigma that relate to whether the self is indeed discredited or discreditable

a. Concealable

b. “life” course of the mark – how long does the stigma last?

c. Disruptiveness – to what degree does the stigma impact everyday life

d. Aesthetics – does the stigma challenge our sense of aesthetics?

e. Origin -- Impact of choice or lack of choice on stigma.

i. Genetic consequences

ii. Accident or disease

iii. Risky behavior that leads to accident or disease

iv. Cultural requirement – example tattoo of the Maori or of gangs perhaps

f. peril

Stigma and stigma management:

3. Response to stigma – difference between resist, reject, or internalize (keep in mind the above dimensions).

Hide

Withdraw

Control information shared

Educate others

Deflect with humor or kindness

Demonstrate competence in other areas

4. WHY stigmatize?

Sense of our own vulnerability

“just world” hypothesis

Embarrassment and feeling uncomfortable

Ambivalence

Social pressure for us to “look alike” and seek/adore “perfection”

Our sense of what it means to be human!

5. Consequences of stigma?