Sociological Theory: Skeleton Key to Erving Goffman's Stigma (1963)

Erving Goffman's Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity (1963) is frequently the first book that students read independently on their journey into social theory. Goffman's Stigma is reviewed, with special attention to stigma v. normal social identity, the own and the wise, the discredited versus the discreditable, problems of awkward interaction between stigmatized and normals, problems of information control, passing, normal deviance, and the politics of identity. After reviewing Goffman's Stigma, the lecture broadens out to larger concerns about the social structures that generate stigma. Sartre's Anti-Semite and Jew, Lemert's Paranoia and Group Exclusion, Abdi Kusow's Contesting Stigma, Michele Lamont's Addressing Recognition Gaps and Destigmatization, and Diedre Royster's Race and the Invisible Hand all explain the larger, structural determinations of stigmatized identities.
Dan Krier
Sociology
Iowa State University
Erving Goffman
Sociological Theory
Stigma
Identity and the Self
Social Inequalities

[ilinajoshi]

extremely useful, thank you! as a second-year sociology student with an essay on stigma due in two days, this is the perfect material to start off with.

[simonabadea]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. As a sociology student, it helped me a lot. Also it would be so great if you would consider making some videos to explain Bourdieu's theories. 😊 hope you have a wonderful day!

[douknowme]

Thank you so so so much I appreciate your knowledge and your dedication. It is really hard for me to read and i retain information faster by listening so that when I’m reading its not as tedious. Also i love how you included other materials and theories discussing similar topic and that is so helpful because im writing my bachelor’s thesis about a stigmatized group

[haroldmaio]

Goffman spent a great deal of time writing about "stigmas", and precious little time talking about stigmatizers, the persons who promote that prejudice.

[taboundjemak]

Thank you so much for uploading Dr Dan!

[jordanbell]

Your lectures are invaluable prof krier

[cinenine]

What might be the image of Homo Normalis today?

What will it be in 50 years?

What might we stigmatize today that will be acceptable in years to come?

What might be "normal" or recently de-stigmatized today that will be stigmatized (or re-stigmatized) in future?

Is there always a stigmatized group in society? Who are the stigmatized today? The left of politics would argue the right stigmatizes minorities. The right might argue the left stigmatizes being White. Both would argue that the other's allegations are false and that minorities/Whites are not stigmatized, they are actually empowered.

Imagine how future generations might judge us.