Key Takeaways
- Stigma is a mark of disgrace, while discrimination is the difference in treatment on unfair grounds based on factors like sex, race, or religion.
- Stigma involves the formation of a stereotype of an individual associated with disgrace, whereas discrimination involves treating the individual differently.
- Stigma can lead to discrimination when the devaluation of the individual is visible through difference in treatment.
Stigma and discrimination are two concepts that are familiar within the social context, but there is a key difference between them. Stigma is a form of disgrace that an individual experiences as others devalue them, which is referred to as stigmatization. Meanwhile, discrimination involves the ill treatment or difference in treatment of an individual. The main difference between the two stems from discrimination involving treatment and stigma involving the act of regarding an individual as tainted.
What is Stigma?
Stigma can be understood as a mark of disgrace or the consideration of an individual as tainted. It works in the form of a stereotype of an individual and is associated with people from various backgrounds. Stigma can result from physical deformity, for example, since there is a difference between the virtual and actual identity of a person. Erving Goffman identified two main types of stigma: discrediting stigma, which is clearly visible to others like disabilities, and discreditable stigma, which is not visible to others and can be hidden. Stigmatized individuals often experience discrimination.
What is Discrimination?
Discrimination can be defined as the difference in treatment on unfair grounds based on factors such as sex, race, or religion. Discrimination in society often results from the belief that one is superior to others. People with HIV, for example, are often discriminated against due to misconceptions such as touching would result in HIV, people who have HIV are polluted, etc. These false beliefs lead people to treat those who suffer from HIV differently, such as being afraid to share things or sit close to them. These are all different forms of discrimination. People who suffer from mental disorders and various disabilities are also often discriminated against. This indicates that discrimination involves treatment, whereas stigma does not.
Difference between Stigma and Discrimination
Stigma is a mark of disgrace, while discrimination is the difference in treatment on unfair grounds based on factors like sex, race, or religion. Stigma involves the formation of a stereotype of an individual associated with disgrace, whereas discrimination involves treating the individual differently. Stigma is a form of devaluation of an individual, and it can lead to discrimination when the devaluation of the individual is visible through difference in treatment.
