The Labelling Theory of Mental Illness

A General Theory of Organizational Stigma

“…By assigning a label to the value incongruent organization, and thereby linking it to a negatively-evaluated category, a stakeholder group is able to better define, clarify, and enforce its collectively-held values and norms (e.g., Erickson 1962;Kurzban & Leary 2001) and protect its social identity (e.g., Elsbach & Bhattacharya 2001;Sutton & Callahan 1987). As a result, the theoretical basis for both individual and organizational stigma is labeling theory grounded in the sociology of deviance (e.g., Erickson 1962;Gibbs & Erickson 1975;Kitsuse 1962) and mental illness (e.g., Scheff 1974), which illustrate how labels and interpretations of social actors give meaning to particular acts. As Kitsuse notes, "Forms of behavior per se do not differentiate deviants from nondeviants; it is the responses of the conventional and conforming members of the society who identify and interpret behavior as deviant which sociologically transforms persons into deviants.…”

Stigma Is the Origin of Bullying

“…If persons or groups cannot be completely removed from access, they are depersonalized, or made invisible, and a powerless status is imposed upon them. In a real way, they have lost their voice (Burton, 1999;Erikson, 1962;Scheff, 1974). Becker (1963) observed this loss at the heart of society's process of victimization and isolation from the resources necessary to create meaning in life.…”

How Do Children Stigmatize People With Mental Illness?

“…Several carefully constructed studies suggest labeling as a key variable (Jones et al, 1984;Link, 1987;Scheff, 1974;Schumacher et al, in press). People who are known as 'mentally ill' will likely be the victim of mental illness stigma.…”