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“…but names will never hurt me?” Psychiatric classification and stigmatization Volume 87, issue 3, Mars 2011

Authors
Directrice de recherche, Inserm U988, Centre de Recherche Médecine, Sciences, Santé, Santé Mentale et Société (CERMES 3), Chargé de recherches, CNRS UMR 8211, CERMES 3, Doctorant en sociologie, Université Paris Descartes et CERMES 3, Maître de conférences en sociologie, Université de Paris 8 et CERMES 3

In the International Classification of Diseases revision process, proposed modifications of a classificatory term can be justified by arguments about stigma. To shed light on whether scientific terms affect stigmatization, this paper presents Goffman's classical model and recent findings from its operationalization in surveys on public attitudes towards people with mental illness. It then turns to the use of classification in the diagnostic process. Finally, it draws on socio-linguistics and Hacking's concept of classificatory looping to suggest how changing psychiatric categories might affect stigma.