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The connection between Labeling, Low Expectations and Devaluation? Prejudice and stereotyping has continually been a norm in society. There are the ‘normal’ and those that are ‘abnormal’. Unfortunately the ‘abnormal’ are given grouped as the impaired, disabled and handicapped. Most commonly used, labeling, devaluation and low expectations are the terms and concepts used to identify the minority group. They have a strong relationship amongst themselves as each term links directly to the others. Firstly, labelling identifies “a person by one or more of his or her characteristics, which are perceived by society as being different and negative” (McGill and Hutchison p. 349). Society constantly define terms and names to identify one group from another. Resulting in a hierarchical societal structure. Labeling enables one to feel superior while the other becomes inferior. By providing names one may become more confident, all at the expense of the less capable. Following closely to labeling is the notion of devaluation. Devaluation banishes “someone to a low social status based on having a significant characteristic, which is not valued by society” (McGill and Hutchison p.348). Devaluation, as analyzed by social scientists, occurs when a person or a group possesses a characteristic that is said to be deviant or different. (McGill and Hutchison p.30). Such characteristics, often are protected from societal governing, because they are deemed to be deficient. Thus, as it suggests, devaluation is the end result from labeling. Low expectations is defined hand in hand with labeling and devaluation. Low expectations is the effect from devaluation. By applying the Cycle of Devaluation, it can be easily shown that any given individual that has an impairment; society would create a common or shared view the individual. Thus the creation of a common norm for the unfortunately ultimately creates a minority group of disabled persons. This creation of a common norm towards the disabled, results in the devaluation of the individual. As a result, they are required to undergo therapeutic intervention. Since they are seen as deficient, they are usually sent to service professionals who can identify the deficiencies. The identification of the needs of the disabled, would end with a diagnostic label, thus labeling. The diagnostic labeling is then grouped within the individuals with common deficiencies, and they are congregated into special needs institutions. At this level of the process, the devaluation process comes into play as the deficient individuals are given a sense of powerlessness, isolation and alienation. Devaluation is present upon them by the society as a whole because of their differences. Deficiencies are classified into categories that help identify the various types of disabilities.
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