Stigma: An insider's view

The literature on stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination has typically focused on the ways dominant groups negatively view and respond to minorit y groups. We suggest an insider's perspective to focus attention on the ste reotyped or stigmatized ingroup's responses, experiences, and beliefs and t he paradox of being both an active constructor of one's everyday reality an d an involuntary target of negative attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs that shape this reality, We propose that an insider's perspective affords a view of stigmatized groups as actively seeking to make sense of their social wo rld and attain positive outcomes, not simply avoid negative outcomes. In th is sense, an insider's perspective acknowledges that stigmatized groups are not simply victims or passive recipients of stereotyping but rather active ly attempt to construct a buffering life space.