Losing Weight: The Organizational Promotion of Behavior Change
- 1 October 1975
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Social Problems
- Vol. 23 (1) , 69-80
- https://doi.org/10.2307/799629
Abstract
This analysis explores the sociological dimensions of obesity as a type of deviance through a study of the strategies used by one voluntary weight loss organization to change the behavior of fat people so they will become thin. Goffman's concept of stigma and Lemert's theory of secondary deviation are applied to these strategies. The study concludes that under certain circumstances, stigma may be used to change behavior from deviant to normal and that a deviant identity, deviant behavior and a deviant way of life do not always vary together.Keywords
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- Multilingual Dictionary of Fish and Fish ProductsIchthyology & Herpetology, 1970