Class 16 Flashcards
What is Stigma?
Possessing (or being believed to possess) a characteristic that conveys a devalued social identity
Goffman outlined three types of stigma
- Physical
- Mental
- Tribal
Five dimensions that capture meaningful differences between stigmas:
1.Visibility
2.Controllability
3.Disruptiveness
4.Aesthetic qualities
5.Peril
What is visibility?
*Visible stigmas are easy to be judged by
*People with visible stigma know that others are judging them based on that stigma
*People with concealable stigma may hide their stigma
What is Controllability?
*Stigmas are controllable when either:
-The individual is responsible for their condition
- The stigma could be eliminated by the behavior of the stigmatized individual
*People with stigmas that are perceived to be controllable are more likely to discriminated against
People with stigmas that are perceived to be controllable are more likely to:
try and escape the stigma by changing their behavior
People with stigmas that are perceived to be uncontrollable are more likely to:
- focus on self-acceptance
- confronting people who express prejudice
Explain the study on Manipulating Controllability of a Stigma?
Participants read about a hiring manager evaluating a qualified applicant who had a stigma that was portrayed as controllable:
(uses foul language, has poor grooming) or
uncontrollable (stutters, has a facial birthmark)
Hiring manager rejects them for one of these reasons
FOUND:
Subjects felt less negativity to the hiring manager when discrimination was based on features that were deemed more controllable
What is Disruptiveness?
How much a condition makes social interaction less predictable or more uncertain
*Familiarity decreases disruptiveness over time
What are Aesthetic Qualities?
How much a characteristic makes an individual “upsetting” to others
*More attractive = less stigma
*Less attractive = more stigma
Familiarity decreases the impact of aesthetic qualities
What is Peril?
Degree of danger that the stigmatizing condition poses to others
*Danger reminds people of their vulnerability
*Stigmatized identities that are perceived to be dangerous are discriminated against more
What is Stigma by Association?
Associating with a stigmatized individual can lead to stigmatization
(ex. Family members with mental illness)
Stigma by Association (painting with man and two women)?
Think he is more ugly when with ugly woman
Think he is more attractive when with attractive woman
How does the painting study relate to black and white employees?
(White) applicant was rated as less qualified when viewed sitting next to a Black versus a White employee
What is the problem for perceiving discrimination?
Most discrimination is not blatant
What is Attributional Ambiguity?
The difficulty that stereotyped groups have in interpreting feedback
“Was their response to me about who I am as an individual or about my group membership?”
What movie does he reference with Attributional Ambiguity?
Crash
Attributional Ambiguity
Example: Women
Women who were evaluated unfavorably by a blatantly prejudiced evaluator experienced less negative affect than women who were rated unfavorably by an unbiased evaluator
Attributional Ambiguity
Example: Attractive ppl
Attractive participants were less likely to believe positive interpersonal feedback than were unattractive participants
What is the VR study with Attributional Ambiguity?
Assign ppl stigmatized identity or not (ur avatar is white or latinx)
- Job interviews with avatar
If they got negative feedback - they say discrimination when Latinx
If positive feedback - they say this person is going out of their way to be nice to me cuz of my identity (so less positive impact)
When are ppl more likely to perceive discrimination? (5 ways)
1.If it’s an outgroup member
2.In a context linked to negative stereotypes
3.When you identify more with your ingroup
4.Having stigma consciousness: The belief that your group is being judged based on stereotypes
5.When it’s blatant
What does this mean:
Stigma Consciousness Vs. Stigma ‘Accuracy’?
Are people accurate, or are they seeing something else
Greater perceptions of racial discrimination linked with…
Lower physical health
*Self-reported health
*Blood pressure
*Smoking
*Alcohol use
Lower mental health
*Worse well-being
*Self-esteem
*Control over life
*Depression
*Anxiety
What is important to note about Racial discrimination and mental health?
: Racial discrimination is definitely associated with worse mental health, but also some evidence for the reverse direction as well.
Example: A depressed person may be more likely to attribute ambiguous negative events to discrimination
