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Construing stigmatized identities: a golden section study.
Jonathan D Raskin1, Melanie T Harasym, Matthew A Mercuri
1Department of Psychology, State University of New York, New Paltz, New York 12561-2440, USA. raskinj@newpaltz.edu
Psychology and Psychotherapy
|March 13, 2008
Summary
Stigmatized groups are evaluated using a reverse golden section ratio, differing from the predicted 62% positive to 38% negative evaluation. This finding impacts how we understand perceptions of stigmatized individuals.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Attitude Formation
- Stigma Research
Background:
- The golden section hypothesis suggests evaluations are organized with a 62% positive to 38% negative ratio.
- Previous research has not extensively explored how this hypothesis applies to social group evaluations, particularly stigmatized ones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if individuals from stigmatized groups receive more negative evaluations than predicted by the golden section hypothesis.
- To compare evaluations of stigmatized versus non-stigmatized identities.
Main Methods:
- Administered surveys to 154 participants, analyzing 143 responses.
- Participants rated nine distinct identities (e.g., criminal, homeless person, self) on 12 bipolar dimensions.
- Evaluations were analyzed against the golden section hypothesis's predicted ratio.
Main Results:
- Non-stigmatized identities received slightly more positive evaluations than the golden section hypothesis predicted.
- Stigmatized identities, such as 'criminal,' were evaluated using a 'reverse' golden section pattern, indicating more negative ratings.
- Self-identity was rated more positively than predicted, aligning with a refined model expanding on the golden section hypothesis.
Conclusions:
- Stigmatized identities are consistently evaluated with a reverse golden section ratio.
- This finding has significant implications for understanding social cognition and the perception of stigmatized individuals.
- The golden section hypothesis may require refinement to fully account for evaluations of both stigmatized and non-stigmatized groups.
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