Busbin 1

Alexandra Busbin

Mrs. DeBock

English IV Honors

23 March 2017

Essential Question: Why are people with mental illness stigmatized?

Working Thesis:

Refined Thesis:

Annotated Bibliography

Granello, Darcy Haag and Todd A. Gibbs. "The Power of Language and Labels: 'The Mentally

Ill' Versus 'People with Mental Illnesses'." Journal of Counseling & Development, vol.

94, no. 1, Jan. 2016, pp. 31-40. EBSCOhost.

If the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which states that language shapes perceptions of the world and

strongly influences cognitive processes, (Granello) then using words with a kinder connotation,

such as person-first language, would create a more positive surroundings. When person-first

language is used it casts light away from a disorder or psychological state and instead focuses on

integrity and dignity of such stigmatized populace. I chose this article to show that how we use

our language can influence stigma.

Martinez, Andres G. "When 'They' Become 'I': Ascribing Humanity to Mental Illness Influences

Treatment-Seeking for Mental/Behavioral Health Conditions." Journal of Social &

Clinical Psychology, vol. 33, no. 2, Feb. 2014, pp. 187-206. EBSCOhost.
Martinez describes that when onlookers see behavior related to mental illness the medial

prefrontal cortex, also known as the section of the brain in charge of thinking about other people,

does not react. Even when a person thinks of an individual who is mentally ill the cranial image

is slightly less than human. The author then further investigates if ascribing an element of

humanity to people with mental illness ignites compassion within the other section of the

population. His findings suggested that when people with mental illness are represented with

characteristics that elicit compassion and give a sense of self-representation instead of wild or

animalistic ones mental illness and help-seeking behavior become less stigmatized. I chose this

article to show how compassion can be swayed merely with a different light.

Michaels, Patrick J. and Patrick W. Corrigan. "Measuring Mental Illness Stigma with Diminished

Social Desirability Effects." Journal of Mental Health, vol. 22, no. 3, June 2013, pp.

218-226. EBSCOhost.

When dealing with mental illness opportunities for an independent life and employment are

shrunken due to stigma. Stigma even lessens involvement in psychiatric help. I chose this article

to show evaluations of anti-stigma groups.