Social Isolation

Subtitle

Social Stigma of Social Isolation

Social Isolation is when a person is held from interacting with others. It can be as small as choosing not to going out and as big as being kept in the same house for decades. Social Stigma is defined as disapproval of a certain quality or characteristic of a person or group of people. When a person is stigmatized because of their interests or how they act, they are being shunned, or socially isolated. Society sees people who have been socially isolated as weird or unusual because they aren't part of the social norm. This stigma isolates an individual even more and can affect their behavior and actions towards others. Society has to see how painful this stigma can be to people who are socially isolated. I chose this topic because I want people to realize the effect of stigmatizing a person can be. This stigma can affect the development of a child both physically and emotionally.

Learning Objectives

1. Define what Social Stigma is.

2. Give three examples of how social stigmas can create social isolation.

3. Give four examples of how a social stigma can affect someone.

4. Be able to list and describe the two kinds of people involved in stigmatizing.

5. List and describe the six areas of stigma.

What is a social stigma?

"Social stigma is defined by scientists as the disapproval of, or discontent with, a person on the grounds of characteristics that distinguish them from other members of society" (Social Stigma: Defining Ourselves in Culture). 

How do social stigmas cause social isolation?

A social stigma created by society can push a person to social isolation. If stigmatized, a person could stop going to school because of how other kids think of them. In the work force, a person could stop working or get fired because of how others think of them. A stigma can cause a person to hate themselves and think that they are not good enough. A stigma can create mental problems for a person, which furthers the stigma of the person being stigmatized.

Social stigma affecting a person.

  • Relationships and social interaction will become less apparent as the stigma goes on.
  • Someones confidence and self esteem can be lowered. 
  • Mental problems can arise if stigmatized. 
  • People will keep to themselves and become socially isolated.                  (Paraphrased from (The Effect of Stigma))

Who is involved in Stigma.

The Stigmatized- These are the people that are discriminated against. They are seen as people who are strange and don't fit in well with society. They are rejected because of their interests or how they act. The stigmatized can become depressed and mentally ill. 


The Stigmatizer- The stigmatizer is the person or people who are judging a person for their actions. The problem with this is that it boosts the stigmatizer's self esteem. Even though one person is being put down, the other feels good about it, and continues the action. It is also very common for people to stigmatize. Humans have always created constructs of people and put them into categories. We create schemas in our brains and pertain certain things in those schemas. As humans, we learn that if people or things are different, that they are negative. 

Areas of a stigma.

  1. Concealable – How well someone can see the act of stigmatization. 
  2. Course of the mark – Whether or not the act of stigmatizing increases, decreases, or stays constant over time. 
  3. Disruptiveness – How badly it impedes someone's social interaction and causes social isolation.
  4. Aesthetics –The reactions of other people on the stigmatization of someone.
  5. Origin – whether people think the stigma is present at birth, on accident, or deliberate.
  6. Peril - How dangerous other people think the stigma is.               ( Paraphrased from (Social Stigma: Defining Ourselves in Culture)).

1. (2015, December 22). NoBullying - Bullying & CyberBullying Resources. Social Stigma: Defining Ourselves in Culture|NoBullying|. Retrieved November 28, 2016, from http://nobullying.com/social-stigma/

2. Saunders, J. (2013, July 29). SeeChange | The National Mental Health Stigma Reduction Partnership | See Change is a partnership working to bring about positive change in public attitudes and behaviour towards people with mental health problems.. The effect of stigma | SeeChange | The National Mental Health Stigma Reduction Partnership. Retrieved November 5, 2016, from http://www.seechange.ie/the-effect-of-stigma/

3. Declining Loneliness Over Time: Evidence From American Colleges and High Schools Clark D.M.T., Loxton N.J., Tobin S.J. (2015)  Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin,  41  (1) , pp. 78-89. 

4. The Social Psychology of Stigma: Annual Review of Psychology, Vol. 56: 393-421 (February 2005) DOI:      10.1146/annurev.psych.56.091103.070137