Which term best captures the essence of stigma when societal expectations are not met?

The term that best captures the essence of stigma when societal expectations are not met is "shame." Stigma arises when individuals are perceived as deviating from social norms or expectations, leading to a deep sense of shame. This occurs because societal norms dictate standards of behavior or characteristics, and when someone fails to meet these, they may internalize feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness.

Shame is not just a personal feeling; it is also influenced by societal perceptions and judgments. It reflects how individuals view themselves in light of societal expectations and is often associated with the fear of rejection or ostracism. When stigma is present, individuals may feel as though they are fundamentally flawed or that they deserve the negative sentiments directed toward them by society. This emotional response can lead to further isolation and a reinforced cycle of stigma.

In contrast to shame, other concepts like disregard, discrimination, and devaluation focus more on the societal responses to stigma rather than the individual emotional experience. Disregard refers to a lack of attention or care, discrimination involves unfair treatment based on characteristics, and devaluation refers to the reduction of perceived worth. While these are related to the stigma experience, they do not fully encapsulate the personal struggle and internal conflict that shame represents when societal