Non-symbolized Appearance Traits and Cognitive Discrepancy: Reflections on the Interview Process Regarding Surgical Scars

Abstract

Stigma theory has explored the interactional difficulties faced by individuals with appearance traits that deviate from the “norm,” emphasizing the social information these traits convey as symbols and their visibility. However, this perspective has largely overlooked the difficulties posed by appearance traits that are not socially recognized as symbols of specific diseases or injuries. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a theoretical explanation of the challenges associated with “non-symbolized appearance traits” by reflecting on an interview with a person with microtia who has surgical scars on the chest and groin. The analysis reveals that these scars, resulting from autografts, do not serve as symbols of an ear-related condition. Consequently, without prior knowledge or supplementary explanation, others perceive them as unrelated to microtia. Based on these findings, this paper argues that non-symbolized appearance traits create a discrepancy between individuals’ self-perception and how others perceive them. This phenomenon is conceptualized as “cognitive discrepancy.”