Knowra Social stigma Social stigma Social stigma is the disapproval and devaluation attached to people or groups because of perceived characteristics. It can mark them as socially unacceptable and expose them to exclusion or discrimination.
Stigma process : A sequence through which social labels become stereotypes, separation, status loss, and discrimination. It maps how perceived differences become social penalties.
Social identity : The part of a person’s self-concept derived from perceived membership in social groups. Stigmatized group membership can become a contested part of identity.
Mental illness stigma : Negative beliefs, attitudes, and discriminatory treatment directed at people with mental illness. It is a prominent form of stigma with effects on care, work, and social relationships.
Erving Goffman : A Canadian-American sociologist known for influential studies of everyday interaction and social identity. His book Stigma established a durable framework for analyzing discredited identities.
Minority stress : Chronic stress arising from stigma, prejudice, and discrimination directed at marginalized groups. It explains one pathway from social devaluation to unequal health outcomes.
Stereotype : A generalized belief about members of a social group. Stereotypes supply the beliefs that make a stigmatizing label seem meaningful.
Social norm : A shared expectation about appropriate conduct or characteristics in a group or society. Stigma often enforces norms by marking departures as unacceptable.
HIV/AIDS stigma : Social devaluation and discrimination associated with HIV infection or AIDS. It demonstrates how illness stigma can intersect with sexuality, morality, and fear of contagion.
Bruce Link : An American sociologist whose research examines stigma, mental illness, and social inequality. His work connects stigmatizing beliefs to structural discrimination and health.
Health inequity : Systematic differences in health that are avoidable, unfair, and linked to social disadvantage. Stigma can contribute to unequal exposure, care, and health across social groups.
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