Stigma By Erving Goffman Sparknotes

Stigma, Defined as a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. Stigma today can be used in many different ways such as outcast, misunderstood and more. Today we are going in depth of the book “Stigma” by Canadian sociologist Erving goffman. Goffman's book goes deep into the subject of stigma, defining the concept of stigma and all related concepts. Throughout the book, he describes ways a stigmatized person behaves, and the results of mixed encounters between the stigmatized and the normal. He goes on to discuss the knowers of stigma, the normal who don't have stigma but show an understanding and sympathy towards the stigmatized. Later in the book he talks about the moral development of the stigmatized,

Stigma of Charracter traits is seen as a “blemish” of one character, perceived as “weak will” or “dishonesty”, in short the “normal” looking down on the stigmatized. A example of this is a mental disorder, imprisonment, addiction, alcoholism, homosexuality, unemployment, suicidal attempts, and radical political behavior. A physical stigma described as someone with physical deformites of ones body, as stigma of group identity is a stigma that comes from be a part of a of group for example, race, nation, religion. Goffman goes on to speak about the responses of the stigmatized, the isolation and depression the stimatized feel when going out in public and methods they use to avoid be found. A example can be someone with a physical stigma getting plastic surgery, or the speical efforts made to avoid the stigma like drawing attention to a impressive skill. Depending on the person, the response can different, as someone use their stigma as a excuse for not being successful, or some using it as a learning experience. Goffman continues on in chapter two looking at stigma symbols, as in the book he describes them as “infromation control” to help understand

This in short, causes anxiety for the stigmatized, as they are always on alert and are always checking for signs of stigmatization. The last chapters of the book talks about the rules for handling normals, and the social control and how stigma has theories for deviance. Towards the end of the book, it discusses the way stigma and deviance can be functional and accepted in society with limits and boundaries. The book does a amazing job explaining stigma, and really puts the reader into the persectpive of the stigmaztied, giving “normals” a understanding of what occrurs on in the stigamztied life. Personally, i relate alot to the concept of stigma, as i often considered myself stigamtized in certain situations, a example of this is being the oldest in majority of my high school classes. Goffman goes in depth with the different approaches to stigmabeing Micro-level (Psychology), Meso-level(Social psychology and cultural sociology) and Macro-level (Sociology). With quotes like “The normal and stigmatized are not persons, but rather perspectives” Goffman shows the understanding of stigma, and giving the readers or “normals” a better undertsading of the concept. The book teaches the reader to have a open mind, understanding the definition of stigma and the problems they face is something that the reader learns throughout the book. Goffman talks about deviance in the book, something we learned about in class. Deviance and stigma go hand in hand, as the stigma could be often