Dehumanization and Infrahumanization

Nick Haslam*, Steve Loughnan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract / Description of output

We review early and recent psychological theories of dehumanization and survey the burgeoning empirical literature, focusing on six fundamental questions. First, we examine how people are dehumanized, exploring the range of ways in which perceptions of lesser humanness have been conceptualized and demonstrated. Second, we review who is dehumanized, examining the social targets that have been shown to be denied humanness and commonalities among them. Third, we investigate who dehumanizes, notably the personality, ideological, and other individual differences that increase the propensity to see others as less than human. Fourth, we explore when people dehumanize, focusing on transient situational and motivational factors that promote dehumanizing perceptions. Fifth, we examine the consequences of dehumanization, emphasizing its implications for prosocial and antisocial behavior and for moral judgment. Finally, we ask what can be done to reduce dehumanization. We conclude with a discussion of limitations of current scholarship and directions for future research.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAnnual Review of Psychology
EditorsST Fiske
Place of PublicationPALO ALTO
PublisherAnnual Reviews
Pages399-423
Number of pages25
Volume65
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2014

Publication series

NameAnnual Review of Psychology
PublisherANNUAL REVIEWS
Volume65
ISSN (Print)0066-4308

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • aggression
  • power
  • stereotypes
  • violence
  • UNIQUELY HUMAN EMOTIONS
  • SECONDARY EMOTIONS
  • INFRA-HUMANIZATION
  • MIND PERCEPTION
  • EVERYDAY DEHUMANIZATION
  • IMPLICIT ASSOCIATIONS
  • INTERGROUP RELATIONS
  • MORAL DISENGAGEMENT
  • OBJECTIFIED WOMEN
  • SOCIAL CONNECTION

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