85-453 Stigma and its Consequences

9 units, Carnegie Mellon University

This seminar will introduce students to theoretical and empirical psychological research on prejudice and social stigma. The topics covered will include examinations of why individuals stigmatize: exploring cognitive, evolutionary, self, and system justification explanations. The course will examine the consequences of stigmatization for low-status groups (e.g., stereotype threat, dis-identification, internalization, health outcomes). We will explore the role of stigma in intergroup interactions and variation in the experience of stigma. Specific course topics will include the meaning of stigma, why people stigmatize, the physiological, cognitive-affective and social behavioral processes linking stigma and health outcomes, and moderators of stigma.

Prerequisites: 85-110 or 85-211 or 85-104 or 85-100 or 85-102 or 85-190 or 85-150 or 85-221 or 85-130 or 85-170 or 85-241 or 85-219

Offered: Fall 2026

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