Dehumanization
« Back to Glossary IndexDehumanization, one of several social-cognitive mechanisms of moral disengagement, sees an individual or a group as non-human or lacking in human qualities, often comparing them to animals or objects. By reducing their value, they seem less deserving of respect, empathy, or moral consideration—and makes it easier to justify violence or mistreatment. While not a mental condition like depersonalization, someone who’s dehumanized can feel disconnected from themselves and their own humanity. Two opposing psychological mechanismsare at work: reduced social cognition (dehumanization shows reduced activation in brain regions associated with social cognition, empathy, understanding others’ minds) and increased negative emotions (dehumanized targets perceived as less deserving of compassion or sympathy, more likely to elicit disgust). Consequences and research:
- Dehumanizing language, like calling political opponents vermin or rats, using derogatory terms or stereotypes to label people, social media (online harassment, hate speech).
- Discrimination and prejudice against LGBTQ+, especially trans, political opponents, other races/religions, nationalities
- Objectifying and treating people as objects/tools, not as individuals with thoughts and feelings.
- Increased aggression and violence, making it easier to justify harming others.
- Moral justification, justifying actions otherwise considered immoral—whether in history (Holocaust, American slavery, LGBTQ+ community, other atrocities)
- Stereotype content model suggests people are often perceived as either high or low on warmth (trustworthiness, friendliness) or competence (ability)—dehumanization is perceived as low on both.
- Neural correlation studies show dehumanization is associated with reduced activation in brain regions involved in social cognition.
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