A factor which heavily influences the shape of society is the stigmatization and often negative stereotyping of specific communities of people, often minority or racial groups. These communities, such as races, sexualities, genders, and people with disabilities or mental illnesses, often face discrimination and hardship from those who ostracize them as different or try to project stereotypes onto them. Stigma has been an influence on society from the beginning of civilization. In the ancient world, class systems were common, with negative connotations toward being a member of the classes that were considered ‘lower’ than the rest. Stigma has many negative ramifications that range from self-devaluation in those stigmatized, to heavy, sometimes
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As explained by Peggy Thoits, “stereotypes are learned early in life and are reinforced over time in ordinary interaction and by caricatures in the media” (Thoits 7). These negative stereotypes absorbed early in life are so ingrained, and never challenged, that after a few generations, these stereotypes are accepted as a vaguely understood fact. No one questions their authenticity, and so the stigma against communities continues, exacerbated by fear and dislike caused by threat perception and social expectations of desirability. Thoits goes on to say that “stereotyped expectations lead ‘normals’ to block labeled individuals from returning to conventional activities and to reward them for behaviors that conform to the…role” (Thoits 7). These expectations for ostracized groups lead to individuals feeling like they should perform according to their mostly detrimental stereotypes. Returning to the mental illness example, it is explained by Thoits that “observing themselves acting in accordance with stereotyped expectations…labeled persons conclude that they must be mentally ill and accept the mental patient role as an identity” (Thoits 7). Because these negative stereotypes are so ingrained, it becomes a damaging self-devaluation triggered by the expectations their society places them under. They think they have to perform up to these expectations, and subconsciously begin to hold themselves to damaging standards. When you combine all three factors – threat perception, cultural desirability, and ingrained expectations – it becomes a cycle that is only perpetrated as time goes
As explained by Peggy Thoits, “stereotypes are learned early in life and are reinforced over time in ordinary interaction and by caricatures in the media” (Thoits 7). These negative stereotypes absorbed early in life are so ingrained, and never challenged, that after a few generations, these stereotypes are accepted as a vaguely understood fact. No one questions their authenticity, and so the stigma against communities continues, exacerbated by fear and dislike caused by threat perception and social expectations of desirability. Thoits goes on to say that “stereotyped expectations lead ‘normals’ to block labeled individuals from returning to conventional activities and to reward them for behaviors that conform to the…role” (Thoits 7). These expectations for ostracized groups lead to individuals feeling like they should perform according to their mostly detrimental stereotypes. Returning to the mental illness example, it is explained by Thoits that “observing themselves acting in accordance with stereotyped expectations…labeled persons conclude that they must be mentally ill and accept the mental patient role as an identity” (Thoits 7). Because these negative stereotypes are so ingrained, it becomes a damaging self-devaluation triggered by the expectations their society places them under. They think they have to perform up to these expectations, and subconsciously begin to hold themselves to damaging standards. When you combine all three factors – threat perception, cultural desirability, and ingrained expectations – it becomes a cycle that is only perpetrated as time goes