Less “human” than us: dehumanisation as a psychological barrier to the integration of migrants

Abstract

Prejudicea nd discriminatory behaviour remain significant barriers to positive intergroup relations.I natime in which global migration rates are at their highest (and continue to rise), recent emphasis has been placed on the negative perceptions of certain immigrant and refugeeg roup members in Western media and political discourse. Ap rominent feature of these debates involves the perceived "humanness" of migrant individuals.The tendencytoview culturallydissimilar others as less human compared to one'sown culturalgroup is not anovel social phenomenon however.Inthis chapter,wedrawfrom the fields of philosophy, social and developmental psychologyt oe xamine the nature of dehumanisation in the context of migration. Through understanding the psychological processes by which dehumanising perceptions are acquired and expressed, this research ultimatelyh opes to inform strategies to foster the inclusion of newcomers within their host countries.