Stigma-by-association: The role of symbolic and instrumental attitudes

• Published in: Communication research reports 2004-03, Vol.21 (2), p.105-118
• Main Authors: Le Poire, Beth A., Giles, Howard, Prescott, Margaret
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0882-4096; 1746-4099
• DOI: 10.1080/08824090409359973

In an attempt to better understand the relationship between symbolic and instrumental attitudinal structures and their impact on attitudes toward homosexuals, HIV+ individuals, and their friends, this study examined whether symbolic or instrumental factors were more predictive in accounting for homosexual and AIDS tolerance. This work also extended previous work by examining how this tolerance expressed itself through the outcomes of trust, credibility and desire for future interaction with gays and HIV+ individuals. This study also examined how this tolerance extended to friends of the "marked others"; by examining how AIDS and homosexual tolerance extended to affect attitudes toward those who chose to be friends with gays and HIV+ individuals. The findings were twofold. First, both symbolic and instrumental factors predicted outcomes for homosexual and HIV+ targets - regardless of whether they were interacting with a nonstigmatized other or a similar other. Secondly, symbolic and instrumental factors also predicted outcomes for friends of homosexuals and individuals living with HIV. Thus, we now have evidence to support the claim that it is important to consider pre-existing attitudes when considering whether interactions between marked and unmarked others will result in destigmatization of the marked individual or in stigma by association of the unmarked individual.