Striking the golden section in stigma research

摘要

Nobody likes to see others unfairlystigmatised, but it happens moreoften than we wish to admit.Calling someone homeless, mentally ill,disabled or elderly – even whendescriptively on the mark – can haveserious consequences for those solabelled. Of course, sometimes peoplebenefit by stigmatising others. In the2008 US presidential election, JohnMcCain worked hard to label BarackObama as inexperienced, while Obama inturn tried to cast McCain as out of touch.Politicians know that half the electoralbattle is successfully pinning a negativetag on one's opponent.