PSYC12H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Threat Model, Erving Goffman, Stereotype Threat
Document Summary
Major & o"brian (2005) put forward an identity threat model of stigma, which posits that situational cues, collective representations of one"s stigma status, and personal characteristics shape appraisals of the significance of stigma-relevant situations for well-being. This model assumes that possessing a devalued social identity (a stigma) increases one"s exposure to potentially stressful (identity-threatening) situations. Three coping strategies addressed in recent research, which are all volitional coping strategies elicited in response to identity-threat situations: attributing negative events to discrimination (versus to the self). When members of stigmatized groups encounter negative outcomes, one way they may cope with the threat to their self-esteem is by blaming the outcome on discrimination rather than on themselves. By devaluing the importance of stereotyped domains, the stigmatized can psychologically disengage from the stereotyped dimension and protect their self- esteem. E. g. , women may construe math as relatively un-important to their identity and self-esteem. Disidentification can be both adaptive and maladaptive.
