Evolutionary Origins of Stigmatization: The Functions of Social Exclusion

Evolutionary Origins of Stigmatization: The

Functions of Social ExclusionRobert Kurzban and Mark Leary

Lauren Frazier, Jessica Williams, Chris Kelleher

Functions of Stigmatization

Dyadic Cooperation Coalitional ExploitationParasitic Avoidance

Dyadic CooperationMechanism designed to

avoid individuals who are poor partners for social exchange. Examples of those who

are of low social value: homeless, mentally ill, criminals.

This stigma evokes anger and a need to punish.

Coalitional ExploitationMechanism designed to

exclude members from reaping the benefits of membership from one’s own group. Examples of this type of

stigmatization: ethnocentrism, in-group bias, out-group exploitation.

Emotions evoked: fear and hate.

Parasitic AvoidanceMechanism designed to

prevent prolonged contact with those who carry transmittable pathogens/diseases.

Emotions evoked: disgust and revulsion, causes the individual to avoid the potential contagion.

Mean Girls Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

gZ_qXmxdgGMDemonstrates Coalitional Exploitation model of

stigmatization.“Plastics” (in-group) are at the top of the social

hierarchy, and all the other groups “Jocks”, “Cool Asians”, “Nerds” (out-group) are the bottom of the hierarchy.

DiscussionSocial Viscosity: do you live in the same state

you were born in? The same city? Can we live in a world with no stigmas? An

egalitarian society?