Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity

Erving Goffman was a brilliant sociologist. His true gifts were analysis, organization, and analogy. In his landmark signature work, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, he drew parallels between social behavior and theatrical performance. In Stigma, he examines what it means to be “different” from “normal” society and how both “normals” and the stigmatized behave at those times when they are thrown together. There are different kinds of stigmas. Some, such as homosexuality or being an ex-inmate, are often invisible, but others, like facial disfigurement or being of a minority race are often the first things anyone notices about the person. Both the stigmatized and the normals try different strategies. Sometimes the stigmatized are able to “pass” for normal by controlling information about themselves, thus becoming “discreditable” instead of “discredited.” But in those cases where the stigma is obvious, they can resort to cynicism, or to playing a role that caricatures his more stereotypical fellow stigmatized. The normals also try different strategies to mask their discomfort. Goffman examines the strategies employed, and which strategies are most effective. I would very much recommend this book to teachers or anyone else who deals with people in social situations. Five stars.

Erving Goffman's conceptualization of human social life as performative remains, today, brilliant and insightful. In Stigma, he turns his gaze on the ways that those of us who are "marked"-- by misfortune, disfigurement, accidents, errors in judgment, antisocial behavior-- and to how stigma both functions and operates. Stigma touches all of us, at some point in our lives, but many live with its effects daily, and unless we recognize it, we also tend to stigmatize without awareness. Goffman's ideas and observations ought to form the core of any diversity effort, adding needed dimension to discussions of how we include and exclude, are inlcuded and excluded.

Erving Goffman's notable paperback titled "Stigma" is a masterpiece of his collection. Barney G. Glaser, co-author of "The Discovery of Grounded Theory", speaks of this book as the best work that demonstrates the criteria of "integration." Amazingly, this book is a fast read. Goffman was the most imaginative conceptual and theoretical author I've ever read. If you don't know who he is, Google his name and read what others say about him after his death. "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life" is another excellent learning experience.Madgie Hunt, EdD

Required reading for school. Interesting and informative.

I've probably read this book ten to twelve times (I teach a Senior Capstone course with this book), and not only do I discover new ways in which to interpret or added depth to his work each time but I see my students blossom as they think through the issues he is discussing! Phenomenal book!

It was very helpful. It allowed me to understand how stigma was related to the research I was doing in a class that I had to create a research study. Since stigma was my focus, the information Goffman presented expend my knowledge and understanding of stigmas effects on people. I am very pleased that the professor recommend Stigma.

I cannot say anything about the book contents because I didn't read the book. Amazon, however, provides accurate descriptions of the books condition. If needed their return policy is fabulous, taking the risk out of shipping online. We didn't need to return this item though as it was just what was expected. Thank you.

Cannot understand why the author Anne Tyler recommends this researcher. Sociology is only one discipline among others in the last thirty years of examining human nature and group behavior.Marie-Louise Von Franz, Jungian analyst, discusses identity in Projection and Re-Collection. Much more accessible for the lay person to see and apply the ever-present priciples, dynamic. Also, Robert Bly's very humorous and wise The Little Book of the Human Shadow will keep you turning the pages.This is dense, abstruse, academic vernacular. May be used in classroom setting? Not sure references/footnotes back to 1953 are very helpful nowadays. Yes, Group Trance still exists. Yes, World War II is still discussed as the horrific outcomes of group trance.