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Sizism: The Invisible “ism”. Carina Esteban, Psy.D. Wiggsy Sivertsen, LCSW San Jos é State University Counseling Services. Learning Objectives. To identify multiple areas in which weight discrimination and sizism occur.
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Sizism: The Invisible “ism” Carina Esteban, Psy.D. Wiggsy Sivertsen, LCSW San José State University Counseling Services
Learning Objectives • To identify multiple areas in which weight discrimination and sizism occur. • To demonstrate familiarity with the social and psychological issues related to weight discrimination and sizism. • To apply the knowledge acquired toward combating weight discrimination and sizism on college campuses.
Program Syllabus • Identifying Areas of Discrimination • Discussing Social Stigmas • Addressing Related Psychological Issues • Debunking Myths and Stereotypes • Exploring Ways to Combat Sizism on a College Campus
Identifying Areas of Weight Discrimination • Employment Discrimination • Medical and Health Care Discrimination • Educational Discrimination • Other (anecdotal)
Social Stigma • Crandall’s Social Ideology Perspective • Culture-bound values: Self-determination, Individualism, and Self-discipline can lead to anti-fat attitudes. • Racial/Ethnic Considerations • Stunkard and Sobel • Obesity is a physical state. It does not create psychological burden, people do. • Attribution Models • Social Consensus Theory
Psychological Issues • Internalized “Fatphobia” • Depression • Anxiety • Low Self-esteem • Guilt and Shame • Eating Disorders
Myths and Stereotypes • Myth: “If fat people really wanted to, they could lose weight.” • Myth: “It’s not healthy to be fat.” • Myth: “All fat people are compulsive overeaters.” • Myth: “Fat people are ugly.” • Myth: “Fat people can’t find romantic partners.”
Combating Sizism on a College Campus • Stigma Reduction Strategies • Education • Education re: Etiology of Obesity • Education re: the biological, genetic, and uncontrollable reasons for obesity • Awareness Training of how biases manifest • Being attentive to special needs • Increasing Intergroup contact • In an environment where all have equal status and non-stereotypical interactions • Communicating positive attitudes of obese people