BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES - Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie

Conversion model: We throw away the old stereotype and start
again. This is often used when there is significant disconfirming evidence.
Subtyping model: We create a new stereotype that is a subclassification
of the existing stereotype, particularly when we can draw a
boundary around the sub-class. Thus if we have a stereotype for
Americans, a visit to New York may result in us having a ‘New Yorkers
are different’ sub-type.
Our society often innocently creates and perpetuates stereotypes,
but these stereotypes often lead to unfair discrimination and persecution
when the stereotype is unfavorable. When we judge people and groups
based on our prejudices and stereotypes and treat them differently, we are
engaging in stigmatization and discrimination.
Stigmatization
Stigma is a Greek word that in its origins referred to a kind of
tattoo mark that was cut or burned into the skin of criminals, slaves, or
traitors in order to visibly identify them as blemished or morally polluted
persons. These individuals were to be avoided or shunned, particularly in
public places. Modern American usage of the words stigma and
stigmatization refers to an invisible sign of disapproval which permits
"insiders" to draw a line around the "outsiders" in order to demarcate the
limits of inclusion in any group. The demarcation permits "insiders to
know who is "in" and who is "out" and allows the group to maintain its
solidarity by demonstrating what happen to those who deviate from
accepted norms of conduct. Stigmatization is an issue of disempowerment
and social injustice. In this context, stigma is considered to be a powerful
social control tool applied through the marginalization, exclusion, and
exercise of power over individuals who present particular characteristics.
Stigma exists when four specific components converge:
1. Individuals differentiate and label human variations.
2. Prevailing cultural beliefs tie those labeled to adverse
attributes.
3. Labeled individuals are placed in distinguished groups that
serve to establish a sense of disconnection between "us" and "them".
4. Labeled individuals experience "status loss and discrimination"
that leads to unequal circumstances.
Stigma and health
Stigma is typically a social process, experienced or anticipated,
characterized by exclusion, rejection, blame or devaluation that results
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