Normative dehumanization and the ordinary concept of a true human
Recently, I presented evidence that there are two broad kinds of dehumanization: descriptive dehumanization and normative dehumanization. An individual is descriptively dehumanized when they are perceived as less than fully human in the biological-species sense; whereas an individual is normatively...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666622723000680 |
| _version_ | 1797391754419240960 |
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| author | Ben Phillips |
| author_facet | Ben Phillips |
| author_sort | Ben Phillips |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recently, I presented evidence that there are two broad kinds of dehumanization: descriptive dehumanization and normative dehumanization. An individual is descriptively dehumanized when they are perceived as less than fully human in the biological-species sense; whereas an individual is normatively dehumanized when they are perceived as lacking a deep-seated commitment to good moral values. Here, I develop the concept of normative dehumanization by addressing skepticism about two hypotheses that are widely held by dehumanization researchers. The first hypothesis is that dehumanization is distinct from mere dislike and other non-dehumanizing attitudes. The second hypothesis is that dehumanization is an important predictor of intergroup hostility. Across four studies, I found evidence that normative dehumanization is distinct from mere dislike, and denials of ideal humanness. I also found that it is a unique predictor of intergroup hostility. These findings suggest that research into dehumanization and intergroup hostility will benefit from recognizing the distinction between descriptive and normative dehumanization. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T23:38:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e623a730e2db431c95cbcb672b6f3360 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-6227 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T23:38:13Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-e623a730e2db431c95cbcb672b6f33602023-12-14T05:23:59ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Ecological and Social Psychology2666-62272023-01-015100155Normative dehumanization and the ordinary concept of a true humanBen Phillips0Correspondence.; Arizona State University, Tempe, United StatesRecently, I presented evidence that there are two broad kinds of dehumanization: descriptive dehumanization and normative dehumanization. An individual is descriptively dehumanized when they are perceived as less than fully human in the biological-species sense; whereas an individual is normatively dehumanized when they are perceived as lacking a deep-seated commitment to good moral values. Here, I develop the concept of normative dehumanization by addressing skepticism about two hypotheses that are widely held by dehumanization researchers. The first hypothesis is that dehumanization is distinct from mere dislike and other non-dehumanizing attitudes. The second hypothesis is that dehumanization is an important predictor of intergroup hostility. Across four studies, I found evidence that normative dehumanization is distinct from mere dislike, and denials of ideal humanness. I also found that it is a unique predictor of intergroup hostility. These findings suggest that research into dehumanization and intergroup hostility will benefit from recognizing the distinction between descriptive and normative dehumanization.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666622723000680DehumanizationBlatant dehumanizationIntergroup hostilityPassive harmActive harm |
| spellingShingle | Ben Phillips Normative dehumanization and the ordinary concept of a true human Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology Dehumanization Blatant dehumanization Intergroup hostility Passive harm Active harm |
| title | Normative dehumanization and the ordinary concept of a true human |
| title_full | Normative dehumanization and the ordinary concept of a true human |
| title_fullStr | Normative dehumanization and the ordinary concept of a true human |
| title_full_unstemmed | Normative dehumanization and the ordinary concept of a true human |
| title_short | Normative dehumanization and the ordinary concept of a true human |
| title_sort | normative dehumanization and the ordinary concept of a true human |
| topic | Dehumanization Blatant dehumanization Intergroup hostility Passive harm Active harm |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666622723000680 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT benphillips normativedehumanizationandtheordinaryconceptofatruehuman |