Erving Goffman: Stigma and Social Identity

Introduction

• The concept of stigma originates from the Greeks, referring to physical marks on the body indicating a person’s moral status.
• In Christian times, stigma included both holy bodily signs and medical conditions.
• Today, stigma refers more to disgrace itself than to any physical evidence.
• Little effort has been made to define stigma's structural pre-conditions.

Preliminary Conceptions

• Society categorizes individuals, assigning attributes deemed ordinary or natural.
• First impressions often lead to assumptions about social identity.
  • Social identity includes personal and structural attributes like honesty or occupation.
• Demands on identity are implicit until questioned.
• Discrepancies between expected and actual identity lead to stigma.

Stigma Defined

• Stigma is an attribute that discredits a person, altering their perceived identity.
• Not all undesirable attributes are stigmatizing, only those that conflict with stereotypes.
• Stigma is about the relationship between attribute and stereotype.
• Stigmatized individuals experience life as either discredited or discreditable.

Types of Stigma

1. Physical Deformities
2. Character Blemishes: Traits perceived as moral weaknesses, e.g., addiction.
3. Tribal Stigma: Group identity markers like race or religion.

Social Interactions and Stigma

• Stigmatized individuals are often treated as less than human, leading to discrimination.
• Society creates ideologies to rationalize stigmatization.
• Stigma terms often become metaphors, ignoring original meanings.
• Stigmatized individuals may internalize society’s views.

Responses to Stigma

• Individuals may attempt to "correct" their stigma through various means.
• Stigma can lead to secondary gains, e.g., excuses for failure.
• Stigmatized individuals might reassess the limitations of "normals."
• Suffering is sometimes viewed as a blessing in disguise.

Mixed Social Situations

• Social interactions are challenging for stigmatized individuals due to uncertainty over acceptance.
• Normals may feel discomfort and unease due to the presence of a stigmatized individual.
• Interactions may be filled with anxiety and misunderstanding.

Conclusion

• Stigma profoundly affects social identity and interactions.
• Both stigmatized individuals and normals navigate complex social dynamics.
• Understanding and addressing stigma requires examining the relationships between individuals and societal stereotypes.