Over the past three decades, social psychologists have made great strides in understanding stigma. Whether based on disability, age, body size or appearance, membership in a racial or ethnic minority group, or other attributes, the devaluation of those perceived as "different" has profound repercussions both for individuals and for society. This book brings together leading researchers to present groundbreaking findings on such topics as the various dimensions of stigma, why people stigmatize others, how targeted individuals are affected by and respond to stigmatization, and influences on social interactions. Chapters are organized around a cohesive conceptual framework that incorporates the perspectives of both the perceiver and the target; the relevance of personal and collective identities; and the interplay of affective, cognitive, and behavioral reactions in stigmatization.