Fra emarginazione e infamia. La legittimazione sociale del rifiuto

Abstract

This contribution analyzes social construction of infamy, beginning from stereotype as an image coming not from direct information but rather from a social construction, assumed as true. Psychological researches highlighted that may be easier for an individual to remember information related to social knowledge instead of look at them with a critical eye, so learned scripts will be enriched with new confirmations, undervaluing inconsistent statements. This process may lead to stigma, referred to unusual and unwanted aspects of labeled people, so to made him/her as an avoided person. Gender differences are analyzed: the first offense ascribed to women is to refuse compliance with role expectations. Women have more coercive norms in playing family and social roles, and so greater possibilities to be stigmatized as deviant. Social attitudes seem not to be affected by modernity or new ways of communication, that even may be used to increase their believableness.