title: The reappropriation of stigmatizing labels: the reciprocal relationship between power and self-labeling.
abstract: We present a theoretical model of reappropriation--taking possession of a slur previously used exclusively by dominant groups to reinforce another group's lesser status. Ten experiments tested this model and established a reciprocal relationship between power and self-labeling with a derogatory group term. We first investigated precursors to self-labeling: Group, but not individual, power increased participants' willingness to label themselves with a derogatory term for their group. We then examined the consequences of such self-labeling for both the self and observers. Self-labelers felt more powerful after self-labeling, and observers perceived them and their group as more powerful. Finally, these labels were evaluated less negatively after self-labeling, and this attenuation of stigma was mediated by perceived power. These effects occurred only for derogatory terms (e.g., queer, bitch), and not for descriptive (e.g., woman) or majority-group (e.g., straight) labels. These results suggest that self-labeling with a derogatory label can weaken the label's stigmatizing force.
authors: 1Department of Management, Columbia Business School, Columbia University.
authors: Adam D
authors: AD
authors: Galinsky
authors: Cynthia S
authors: CS
authors: Wang
authors: Jennifer A
authors: JA
authors: Whitson
authors: Eric M
authors: EM
authors: Anicich
authors: Kurt
authors: K
authors: Hugenberg
authors: Galen V
authors: GV
authors: Bodenhausen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006608:Hierarchy, Social; D063509:Homophobia / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011209:Power, Psychological; D063505:Racism / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D063507:Sexism / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: hierarchy; language; power; reappropriation; self-labeling; slurs; social perception; status; stigma