SOCIOL 2CC3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Social Stigma, Visible Minority, Structural Functionalism

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOCIOL 2CC3
• Professor: Dr. Rhona Shaw

Document Summary

Durkheim 1st sociologist to explore social stigma and its relationship to deviance (he"s a structural functionalist) Impacts to those who deviate from social societal norm. Societal implications of stigma - how affects social structure, order & social cohesion. Mark of disgrace associated with particular circumstance, quality or person. Synonymous with shame, dishonor, stain, taint, blemish, mark or slur. Modern sociological concept of stigma associated with goffman. An identity that causes an individual to experience stigma. Results from possession of deeply discrediting behavior, attribute or condition. E. g. , non conforming act, mental illness, physical deformity. Process by which individuals pass from normal status to discredited or discreditable one. Undesirable behaviors & attitudes - weak willed, dishonest. E. g. , gay man as effeminate, lesbians as masculine. Group affiliation - religious, ethnic, gender, social class. Goffman - 2 types of stigmatized experience (i) discredited stigmas. Are visible and obvious - can be observed or become known.