HLTHAGE 2B03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Informal Social Control, Norm (Social), Erving Goffman
19 Dec 2016
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Nov 9, 2016
HLTHAGE 2B03
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Difference, Deviance and Stigma
Deviance implies the value and norms of a culture, some qualities are perceived as more
desirable than others, deviance is always present in every society
By identifying what is deviant, societies are identifying what is not
Normative standards are shared in the society
Notion that some people are different in an unacceptable ways - this leads to stigma = certain
traits and behaviours are devalued by others
Stigma from the Greek word meaning mark, marks impressed on slaves to identify their inferior
status positions in society
Ideas of difference, deviance and stigma are socially constructed, t may have a negative impact
on the life and well being of the individuals or groups so labeled, this forms an important
component of the social determinants of health
From fear of being identified as deviant, we conform, we follow the rules, we exhibit the correct
behaviour = this results in informal social control = we want to be accepted as “normal” = we
want “to belong”
Deviance marks out those that are different
This speaks to what is proper and improper and this hardened into what is right and what is
wrong regarding socially constructed norms
Some boundaries set are more important than others i.e., illegal drugs use vs. burping in public
= consequences and stigma vary given severity of the difference
Concepts of deviance ebb and flow and can change over different circumstances
Stigma
Closely related to deviance
The foundation of stigma lies in differences
The difference can be physical, age, sexuality, illness, disability, behaviour, panic, etc.
Goffman indicated that stigma is a devaluation process linking with stereotyping and prejudice,
speaks to the traits seen as discreditable and unworthy, i.e., convict
The person is discounted or tainted, marginalized i.e., prostitute
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The person is thus “disqualified from social acceptance
“mark” term leas to the definition of someone flawed, spoiled - them and us principle created,
“those good and in favour”, those bad and out of favour within a given social norm
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Deviance implies the value and norms of a culture, some qualities are perceived as more desirable than others, deviance is always present in every society. By identifying what is deviant, societies are identifying what is not. Notion that some people are different in an unacceptable ways - this leads to stigma = certain traits and behaviours are devalued by others. Stigma from the greek word meaning mark, marks impressed on slaves to identify their inferior status positions in society. Ideas of difference, deviance and stigma are socially constructed, t may have a negative impact on the life and well being of the individuals or groups so labeled, this forms an important component of the social determinants of health. From fear of being identi ed as deviant, we conform, we follow the rules, we exhibit the correct behaviour = this results in informal social control = we want to be accepted as normal = we want to belong .
