More Than Meets the Eye: Unpacking the Complexity of Invisible Stigmas and Their Disclosure

Abstract

Invisible stigmas are defined as individual attributes that are concealable but may be viewed as “undesirable, deviant, or repulsive” in any given social context (Ragins, 2008). These attributes could include a wide array of orientations, values, life experiences, and affiliations that individuals carry into organizations. Apart from the complex content of invisible stigmas, their (non)disclosure is a process involving judgments regarding who, when and what to disclose. The present symposium seeks to confront this complexity by unpacking the content of invisible stigmas as well the process and context of disclosure of stigmas in the workplace. Presentations included reflect cutting-edge research developments that shed light on a wide range of invisible stigmas as well the context and outcomes of disclosure of these stigmas in the workplace. Together, the presentations shed light on the psychological mechanisms, relational context, stigma characteristics and employment outcomes of disclosure such as identification with and discrimination in organizations. More Than Meets the Eye: Unpacking the Complexity of Invisible Stigmas and Their Disclosure Presenter: Tiffany D. Johnson; Pennsylvania State U. Presenter: Aparna Joshi; Pennsylvania State U. Presenter: Judith A. Clair; Boston College Presenter: Eden King; George Mason U. Presenter: Raymond N. C. Trau; Curtin U. Presenter: Tracy McCausland; George Mason U. Presenter: Kristen P. Jones; George Mason U. Presenter: Afra Ahmad; George Mason U. Presenter: Alex Lindsey; George Mason U. Presenter: Jane Coffey; Curtin Business School