Role of stigma and set in interpersonal interaction.

Abstract

This study focuses on 1 condition which seems to influence the role of stigmata in interpersonal relationships. The results indicate that mental illness and the extent to which a person is held responsible for this stigma determine the amount of pain inflicted upon him and how favorably he is evaluated. Responsibility was varied by having a confederate report to the undergraduate Ss[subjects] either a typical or an atypical and pathogenic childhood. A bad childhood mitigated the harshness of the treatment accorded the mentally ill person, but for the normal individual this experience appears to be as stigmatizing as mental illness itself. The individual perceived as abnormal either because of mental illness or a poor childhood experience is treated in a harsher manner than the normal. He is also described as less adequate in his performance, although there is no objective basis for this, he is less liked, and Ss prefer no further interaction with him. An interesting implication of comparing the evaluation with the behavior displayed is that people can be induced to behave more favorably while retaining all of this dislike and contempt for the stigmatized person.