Eliciting Acceptance For “Illicit” Organizations: The Positive Implications of Stigma for MMA Organizations

摘要: This paper explores the positive implications that stigma has for organizations and how it may lead to broader acceptance them among social audiences. We conduct a qualitative study of stigmatized—but increasingly accepted—mixed martial arts (MMA) audiences evaluated through an analysis interviews, media reports, texts documenting their experiences. found following. First, there were three different types associated with MMA organizations: aesthetic, lawlessness, harm-based. Second, organizational actors used advantage in two, opposing manners. They coopted negative labels gain awareness supportive audiences, as well drew from correct evaluations held by critical regarding organizations. demonstrates that, rather than attempting “pass normal,” stigmatized can actively construct those attributes are focus persuade reconsider evaluations, rendering more acceptable