Can ‘justified disapproval’ be separated from addiction stigma? An empirical focus is required.

• DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/vx9r3
• Publication Date: 2024-01-31T05:01:24Z
• Authors: James Morris; Johanna Leona Kum...; Georg Schomerus
• Keywords: Stigma; Normative social influence; Empirical Research; Empirical evidence; Affect

Stigma is largely recognized as a harmful practice of social devaluation and discrimination, yet some scholars still advance arguments that stigma also serves an important disincentivizing force towards addictive behaviours. Whilst others counter fundamentally process, more nuanced call has been made for “justified disapproval” beneficial normative to be separated from addiction stigma. The legitimacy such claim requires empirical support which lacking thus far. We review evidence in the domains norms, stigma, behavioural sciences starting point empirically focused evaluation possibility legitimate positive force. note whilst influences, emotions addiction-relevant appraisals affect behaviours under certain conditions, there are questions regarding whether these can harnessed without invoking known pervasive effects Rather, we propose efforts curb addiction-related via influences likely fail or backfire. In absence use ‘disapproval’ strategies, alternative approaches should pursued, particularly those address broader socio-cultural structural drivers problems.