What is stigma?

What is stigma?

• A. A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.
• B. A mark of honor associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.
• C. A social norm that guides behavior.
• D. A personal trait that is always visible.

Answer: (A)

Stigma is social devaluation: a negative label or judgment attached to a person or group because of a perceived characteristic or circumstance. The best choice captures this idea as a mark of disgrace tied to that circumstance, quality, or person, which can lead to discrimination and exclusion. Think of stigma as something society assigns to someone, not something the person inherently is or earns. It isn’t a mark of honor or pride, so the option describing honor doesn’t fit. It isn’t a social norm that guides behavior, though norms can perpetuate stigmatizing attitudes, and it isn’t a personal trait that’s always visible, since stigma is about external labeling and social perception, not an intrinsic attribute. Examples include stigma around mental illness, disability, race, or poverty, where negative stereotypes lead to unfair treatment and barriers to opportunity.

Stigma is social devaluation: a negative label or judgment attached to a person or group because of a perceived characteristic or circumstance. The best choice captures this idea as a mark of disgrace tied to that circumstance, quality, or person, which can lead to discrimination and exclusion.

Think of stigma as something society assigns to someone, not something the person inherently is or earns. It isn’t a mark of honor or pride, so the option describing honor doesn’t fit. It isn’t a social norm that guides behavior, though norms can perpetuate stigmatizing attitudes, and it isn’t a personal trait that’s always visible, since stigma is about external labeling and social perception, not an intrinsic attribute. Examples include stigma around mental illness, disability, race, or poverty, where negative stereotypes lead to unfair treatment and barriers to opportunity.