Currently browsing "Stigma"

A Vaccination Against Social Prejudice

Evolutionary psychologists suspect that prejudice is rooted in survival: Our distant ancestors had to avoid outsiders who might have carried disease. Research still shows that when people feel vulnerable to illness, they exhibit more bias toward stigmatized groups. But a new study in Psychological Science, a journal published by the Association for Psychological Science suggests there might be a modern way to break that link.... More>

It’s flu season. Watch your prejudices.

I tried not to breathe too much on the elevator this morning. I was trying to avoid the germs of a fellow who clearly had the flu—or at least a […]... More>

Understanding Mind-Body Influences

Wendy Berry Mendes focuses her research on embodiment — how the mind and body reciprocally influence each other. Specifically, she looks at how the brain and body experience emotions, stress, […]... More>

Observation

Stigma, His and Hers

The mentally ill don’t get a fair shake in this country. Many employers don’t want to hire them, and health insurers don’t want to pay for their treatment. Even within […]... More>

Presidential Column

This Stigma of Obesity

In the food and health sciences, the medical effects of obesity are well-documented and well-publicized. But, just as obesity may be associated with a variety of health issues, it can also bring a less well-understood effect: stigma and discrimination. In 2005, the battle against obesity stigma got a new champion: The Rudd Center at Yale. This is a beautiful example of psychological science making the world a better place. ... More>