13 Facts About Social stigma

Social stigma is the disapproval of, or discrimination against, an individual or group based on perceived characteristics that serve to distinguish them from other members of a society.

In Goffman's theory of social stigma, a stigma is an attribute, behavior, or reputation which is socially discrediting in a particular way: it causes an individual to be mentally classified by others in an undesirable, rejected stereotype rather than in an accepted, normal one.

Social stigma is thus reduced in our minds from a whole and usual person to a tainted discounted one.

Goffman emphasizes that the stigma relationship is one between an individual and a social setting with a given set of expectations; thus, everyone at different times will play both roles of stigmatized and stigmatizer.

Sociologist Matthew W Hughey explains that prior research on stigma has emphasized individual and group attempts to reduce stigma by "passing as normal", by shunning the stigmatized, or through selective disclosure of stigmatized attributes.

Social stigma focused on stigma, not as a fixed or inherent attribute of a person, but rather as the experience and meaning of difference.

In 2008, an article by Hudson coined the term "organizational Social stigma" which was then further developed by another theory building article by Devers and colleagues.

Empirical research on the Social stigma associated with mental disorders, pointed to a surprising attitude of the general public.

The impact of the Social stigma is significant, leading many individuals to not seek out treatment.

Research has shown Social stigma to be a barrier to treatment-seeking behaviors among individuals with addiction, creating a "treatment gap".

The intensity of poverty Social stigma is positively correlated with increasing inequality.

Social stigma is prevalent towards recipients of public assistance programs.

The stigma of giftedness theory was further elaborated by Laurence J Coleman and Tracy L Cross in their book entitled, Being Gifted in School, which is a widely cited reference in the field of gifted education.