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Social distance from the stigmatized : A test of two theories

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  • Albrecht, Gary L.
  • Walker, Vivian G.
  • Levy, Judith A.

Abstract

Attribution of responsibility and disruption of social interaction are two explanations proposed in previous literature for the existence of differential social distance from individuals with various types of stigmas. This paper tests the relative merits of the theories in explaining perceived social distance that individuals in the study expressed from a wide range of stigmatized conditions representing two general stigma types: the disabled and deviants. The research is based on a sample of professionals and managers in key decision making positions. Perceived social distance was measured by a modified Bogardus Scale. Respondents expressed greater social distance from deviants such as alcoholics and drug addicts than from the disabled such as paraplegics and the blind. Little support was found for the contention that attribution of responsibility determines variations in social distance across or within the two major stigma types of disability and deviance. Rather, results suggest that differential rejection stems from the disruption a stigma causes in social interaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Albrecht, Gary L. & Walker, Vivian G. & Levy, Judith A., 1982. "Social distance from the stigmatized : A test of two theories," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 16(14), pages 1319-1327, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:16:y:1982:i:14:p:1319-1327
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    Cited by:

    1. Bove, Liliana L. & Pervan, Simon J., 2013. "Stigmatized labour: An overlooked service worker’s stress," Australasian marketing journal, Elsevier, vol. 21(4), pages 259-263.
    2. Nobles, Jenna & Weintraub, Miranda Ritterman & Adler, Nancy E., 2013. "Subjective socioeconomic status and health: Relationships reconsidered," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 58-66.
    3. Kai Wei & Daniel Jacobson López & Shiyou Wu, 2019. "The Role of Language in Anti-Immigrant Prejudice: What Can We Learn from Immigrants’ Historical Experiences?," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Marcus Y.L. Chiu & Kenneth K.L. Chan, 2007. "Community Attitudes Towards Discriminatory Practice Against People with Severe Mental Illness in Hong Kong," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 53(2), pages 159-174, March.
    5. Wilson, Kate & Luker, Karen A, 2006. "At home in hospital? Interaction and stigma in people affected by cancer," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(7), pages 1616-1627, April.
    6. Sabina Kołodziej, 2021. "Validation of the Polish version of the Motivational Postures (Toward Taxes) Questionnaire," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(6), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Kee-Lee Chou & Ki-Yan Mak & Po-Kin Chung & David Chan & Kimmy Ho, 1996. "Attitudes Towards Mental Patients in Hong Kong," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 42(3), pages 213-219, September.
    8. McIntosh, Alison J., 2020. "The hidden side of travel: Epilepsy and tourism," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    9. Dobransky, Kerry, 2009. "The good, the bad, and the severely mentally ill: Official and informal labels as organizational resources in community mental health services," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 722-728, September.
    10. Marjorie L. Baldwin, 1997. "Can the ADA Achieve its Employment Goals?," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 549(1), pages 37-52, January.

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