Goffman's central thesis is that stigma is not an inherent property of a person but a social process that arises from the interaction between an individual's attributes and societal expectations. He argues that stigmatized individuals actively manage the "spoiled identity" these attributes create through various social strategies to navigate interactions and maintain a sense of self. The book details how individuals with socially discrediting attributes (e.g., physical deformities, character defects, group membership) experience and manage their difference from normal social expectations.

Readers learn to recognize the pervasive nature of stigma in everyday social life and understand the psychological and social mechanisms by which individuals cope with being labeled as "different." The book offers a foundational understanding of social sorting, impression management, and the constant negotiation of social acceptance that occurs when individuals possess traits that deviate from the accepted norm.

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Key concepts

Stigma — A property attributed to an individual that is discrediting and distinguishes them from others.
Total Institution — A place of residence and work where a large number of similarly situated individuals are cut off from the wider society for an extended period.
Normal — An individual who does not possess a stigma.
Mixed Social Identity — The social identity of an individual who possesses a stigma but is not immediately identifiable as such.
Courtesy Stigma — The stigma that attaches to individuals closely associated with a stigmatized person.