Topic 5: labelling + stigma

Question 1

Define label

Answer 1

• A name represents something = MS, Down’s, stupid, dumb
• Label can be scientific + social = give meaning
• Can be used for identifying and diagnosis

Question 2

Why may people ascribe labels?

Answer 2

• In order to feel they control what they don’t understand
• Labeling gives people framework to understand + take according actions
• Use diagnosis to justify + support own views

Question 3

What is the importance of labeling?

Answer 3

• Socially important as it can lead to stigma + draw boundaries between labeled/not labeled

Question 4

Define stigma

Answer 4

• Label in action

Question 5

What makes a condition stigmatizing

Answer 5

• Not automatically stigmatizing
• 1st labeled -> stigmatized when possessor dissociated from others + made to feel shame about condition

Question 6

Define HIV stigma

Answer 6

Associated with personal responsibility + infection + promiscuity

Question 7

Define epilepsy stigma

Answer 7

Due to disturbing epileptic episodes + lack of knowledge

Question 8

Define down’s stigma

Answer 8

Due to physical characteristics + developmental delay

Question 9

How does Goffman define stigma?

Answer 9

• Stigma may spoil the sufferer’s identity = self fulfilling prophecy
• E.g. labelled as slow may cause person to think that’s what they are and behave that way

Question 10

Describe the side effects of stigma

Answer 10

• Leads to low self-esteem
• Low self-efficacy
• Less likely to seek medical help
• Less likely to adhere to therapy

Question 11

Explain the importance of knowing about stigma

Answer 11

• Helps doctors communicate better with patients
• Understand more about patient + establish good rapport = improve adherence
• Stigma leads to chronic stress = associated with other health problems

Question 12

Explain how clinicians stigmatize their patients

Answer 12

• May be directly or indirectly
• Directly = refuse patient with HIV
• Indirectly = devalue/underestimate patients capability to understand

Question 13

Explain how we can reduce stigma

Answer 13

• Educate patients on how to deal with stigma
• Inform public about nature + causes + epidemiology
• Inform public what is stigma + effect on people
• Educate from a young age
• Train healthcare professionals + address stigmatizing behavior

Question 14

Describe the mechanism of labelling

Answer 14

• Illness is a form of deviance = deviates from social norms
• There are 2 types:
  1) Primary deviance
  2) Secondary deviance
• If primary -> no labeling -> no social reaction
• if secondary -> labeling -> stigma

Question 15

Define primary deviance

Answer 15

• Presence of condition not officially diagnosed/labeled yet
• Absence of label has marginal implications = doesn’t activate social reactions

Question 16

Define secondary deviance

Answer 16

• Presence of condition + official diagnosis = social labeling = condition known
• Label = social reactions

Question 17

What are the 3 types of stigma?

Answer 17

1) Enacted = actual discrimination = e.g. refused service for condition
2) Felt = internalized negative feelings about self = e.g. feel useless
3) Courtesy = by association = e.g. discrimination against relatives + they themselves feel shame

Question 18

What are the 3 situations of stigmatization?

Answer 18

1) Discredited = others know + stigmatize = e.g. denied employment due to condition
2) Obtrusiveness = different environments elicit different degrees of stigma
3) Discreditable = others don’t know + sufferer is afraid = e.g. HIV scared to disclose status = may spread if no protection taken with sex

Question 19

What are the 3 responses to stigma?

Answer 19

1) Change body = dress differently
2) Emphasis on other parts of self = work on capabilities
3) Present experience as inspiring = change way of thinking