SOC 201 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Erving Goffman, Mental Disorder
Document Summary
Primary deviation, as contrasted with secondary, is polygenetic, arising out of a variety of social, cultural, psychological and physiological factors. Secondary deviation is deviant behavior [that results] as a means of social defense . or adaptation to the . problems created by the societal reaction to primary deviance. Secondary deviation refers to a special class of socially defined responses which people make to problems created by the societal reaction to their deviance. Erving goffman"s work on social identity helps us to make sense of the power of labels. Goffman argued that the stigma 8 of negative social labels can work to spoil a person"s identity. According to goffman, a stigma is any attribute that discredits a person or disqualifies him or her from full social acceptance" . First, there are abominations of the body . Clearly visible physical marks (deformities, scars, disfiguring injuries) Second, there are blemishes of individual character . Labels of mental disorder, dishonesty, alcoholism, or bankruptcy.
