Citizen Kane Stigma Labeling Lecture Notes Presentation

Citizen Cain Stigma Labelling Lecture Notes Presentation By Jm

What is stigma? The Oxford English Dictionary defines stigma as: “Mark branded on slave, criminal, etc.; Imputation attached to person’s reputation; stain on one’s good name; or a definite characteristic of some disease (spot, pore, small natural mark on skin).”

The discredited & the discreditable? According to Erving Goffman in Stigma and Social Identity, there are two types of stigmatized individuals: the discredited, who visibly differ from societal norms, and the discreditable, who possess secrets that, if revealed, would lead to rejection.

Discredited individuals are those with visible differences, such as physical disabilities, which draw immediate social disapproval. The biblical reference to Cain’s mark in Genesis illustrates historical perceptions of marking or labeling individuals for their deviations.

Stigma can have both negative and positive aspects. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s quote about the scarlet letter exemplifies how stigma can act as a form of social passport, granting access to certain social realms while carrying shame and solitude.

Disability and stigma have historically been intertwined. Disabilities are often viewed as signs of evil or sinfulness and are associated with shame, fear, and the need for concealment. Society has traditionally seen disabled individuals as different, embarrassing, or a threat to social cohesion, leading to marginalization.

The origins of stigma, according to Goffman, lie within societal perceptions and social constructs. Stigma resides within the individual, but it is heavily influenced by the societal value system. The label attached to a person—whether positive or negative—is a reflection of societal attitudes and norms.

From a medical perspective, impairments were once considered divine curses or moral failings, leading to a view of the disabled as inferior, tragic, and in need of pity, cure, or segregation. This medical model focused on 'fixing' the individual rather than addressing societal barriers.

Visual perception plays a role in stigmatization. The iceberg analogy illustrates that what is visible (the tip) only represents a small part of reality, with the larger, hidden aspects constituting deeper societal or personal issues. Understanding requires shifting perspective from superficial to comprehensive; acceptance involves recognizing the whole person beyond stereotypes.

The social model of disability challenges the medical model by emphasizing that societal barriers—such as inaccessible environments, discriminatory attitudes, and exclusionary policies—are what disable people, not their impairments alone. UPIAS (Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation) highlights that the focus should be on transforming societal structures to eliminate disabling barriers.

Emphasizing the person rather than the disability promotes a more inclusive perspective: individuals are capable of functioning in mainstream settings, engaging in relationships, and contributing meaningfully to society. Disabling attitudes and systems are the primary issues, not impairments, which should not define a person’s worth or potential.

To change stigma from negative to positive, it is crucial to understand and address fears—both societal and personal—through education, legislation, and personal support. Legislation alone cannot change hearts, but it can discourage discriminatory practices. Supporting others and embracing differences helps foster acceptance and understanding.

In conclusion, societal attitudes, constructs, and policies play a significant role in stigmatizing individuals with impairments. Shifting from a medical to a social model, promoting inclusion, and encouraging empathy are essential strategies to diminish stigma and advocate for equitable treatment of all individuals, regardless of their physical or mental differences.

Paper For Above instruction

Stigma, a complex social phenomenon, has historically influenced perceptions of individuals who deviate from normative standards. It involves the branding or labeling of individuals in ways that adversely affect their social identity and interactions. The Oxford English Dictionary describes stigma as a mark imprinted on someone, often with negative connotations, such as shame or disgrace. This concept is deeply rooted in societal constructs and perceptions, which can be both negative and, at times, positive, depending on societal values.

In Erving Goffman's seminal work Stigma and Social Identity, he distinguishes between the discredited and the discreditable. The discredited are individuals whose deviations from societal norms are visible, such as physical disabilities or facial deformities. The discreditable, on the other hand, possess secret deviations that could lead to rejection if known. These distinctions highlight how visibility and societal perception influence stigmatization.

Historically, stigma has often been associated with moral judgments and moral failings. The biblical story of Cain's mark exemplifies early perceptions of labeling as a form of punishment or divine judgment. Such markers served to identify and isolate individuals perceived as different or morally compromised. Over time, societal attitudes have evolved, but stigma remains pervasive, influencing perceptions even of individuals with religious phenomena like stigmata. Certain saints, such as Padre Pio and St. Francis of Assisi, bore stigmatic wounds, which were regarded both as signs of holiness and as sources of societal stigma.

Relating to the concept of stigma, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter presents stigma as a dual-edged phenomenon, serving as both a mark of shame and a form of social passport, enabling access to exclusive social realms while simultaneously branding the individual with shame. This duality underscores the power of social labels to shape identity and life opportunities.

Disability, traditionally seen through a stigmatizing lens, has been associated with shame, fear, and exclusion. Disabilities have historically been viewed as signs of sin or evil, leading to societal marginalization. Individuals with disabilities were labeled as different, often regarded as burdens or objects of pity and segregation. This medicalized view emphasizes analyzing impairments as personal tragedies needing correction rather than recognizing the societal barriers that exacerbate exclusion.

The origins of stigma, as explained by Goffman, stem from societal perceptions and social constructs. He contends that stigma resides within societal attitudes, and labels are social constructs rather than inherent qualities. Society's valuation of certain characteristics influences whether a stigma is considered positive or negative, thus shaping the individual's social experience.

Historically, the medical model of disability positioned impairment as a personal defect or divine punishment, with individuals seen as inherently deficient. This view led to segregation, charity, and attempts to 'cure' disabilities. In contrast, the social model emphasizes that societal structures—such as inaccessible buildings, discriminatory attitudes, and segregated environments—disable individuals. The Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS) advocates for transforming societal barriers to promote inclusion and social participation.

The iceberg analogy vividly illustrates societal perceptions: what is visible on the surface (the tip) is only a fraction of the whole reality. Recognizing the deeper, often hidden, societal and personal factors fosters understanding and acceptance. Shifting perspective from superficial judgments to comprehensive understanding is crucial in reducing stigma.

The shift from a medical to a social model of disability emphasizes the importance of viewing individuals as capable and deserving of inclusion. It promotes the idea that physical or mental impairments do not define a person’s ability to participate in society. Instead, disabling barriers—whether physical, attitudinal, or systemic—are the primary issues to address.

Efforts to change stigma involve education, legislation, and personal support. Education combat misconceptions and foster empathy. Legislation can protect against discrimination, yet true change requires a cultural shift—supporting differences, dispelling fears, and promoting inclusive attitudes. As Martin Luther King Jr. stated, legislation “does not change hearts, but it restrains the heartless.”

In conclusion, understanding and addressing the societal roots of stigma, along with promoting inclusive policies and empathetic attitudes, are essential steps in fostering a more equitable society. Recognizing that individuals are more than their impairments and focusing on their capabilities and contributions paves the way toward reducing stigma and supporting human dignity across all contexts.

References

• Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. Prentice-Hall.
• Barnes, C., & Mercer, G. (1996). Disability, Society, and the Model of Disability. In Perspectives on Disability.
• UPIAS. (1976). Fundamental Principles of Disabilities. Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation.
• Hawthorne, N. (1850). The Scarlet Letter. Ticknor, Reed & Fields.
• Roulstone, A., & Cocks, N. (2012). Disability and Society: Challenging the Medical Model. Routledge.
• Oliver, M. (1990). The Politics of Disablement. Macmillan.
• Shakespeare, T. (2006). Disability Rights and Wrongs. Routledge.
• Barnes, C. (1992). Disability: Where to Now? Disability & Society, 7(4), 459–470.
• Thomas, C. (2007). Cultural Perspectives in Disability. Research in Social Science and Disability.
• Gill, C., & Johnson, P. (2018). Understanding Disability Perspectives. Sage Publications.