Strategies for the promotion of humanity attribution to outgroups

Abstract

Outgroup dehumanisation, the denial of full humanity to outgroups relative to ingroups, is pervasive in many contemporary societies. The aim of the present work is to review effective strategies aimed at fostering outgroup humanity attribution. After presenting the main models of humanity attribution, we differentiate two types of strategies. Outgroup-specific strategies are focused on a target outgroup, therefore their effectiveness is more dependent upon the specific intergroup relationship. These include intergroup contact, meta-humanisation, and social categorisation. In contrast, outgroup-independent strategies are not inherently linked to a target outgroup, implying that their effectiveness is less dependent on the specific intergroup dynamics under consideration. These involve human-animal similarity and secure relationship attachment. We provide evidence for the effectiveness of these strategies and their underlying processes, showcasing our research program within the larger literature. In so doing, we take into account the distinction between blatant and subtle dehumanisation, and conclude with suggestions for future research.

Bolstering Policy Support for Disadvantaged Groups Through Humanization

“…These findings align with previous research on the impact of internal and external attributions on prosocial behavior and policy support (Bullock et al, 2003; Krijnen et al, 2022; Zagefka et al, 2011), and add to existing literature on humanization (Vezzali et al, 2022) by specifying the boundary conditions under which subtle changes in group depictions can humanize out-groups. More specifically, our findings highlight the importance of accounting for internal and external causal attributions as an intergroup evaluation bias in perceptions of disadvantaged people as human beings (through their moral character) and as (un)deserving policy beneficiaries—especially when these attributions align with prevalent negative stereotypes.…”

“…Humanization—“promotion of humanity attribution to outgroups” (Vezzali et al, 2022, p. 215)—has been extensively studied as an outcome of intergroup help (Davies et al, 2018; Saguy et al, 2015), multiple categorization (Albarello & Rubini, 2012; Prati et al, 2016), intergroup contact (Capozza et al, 2013), animal–human similarity (Costello & Hodson, 2010), and emotional similarity (McDonald et al, 2017). Yet, to the best of our knowledge, we are not aware of any evidence supporting the impact of humanization on individual support for policies that benefit members of disadvantaged groups.…”

“…Bolstering majority support for policies that benefit disadvantaged groups can be difficult (Harell et al, 2016), especially when these groups are dehumanized and deemed responsible for their ordeal. Given the negative effects of dehumanization, scholars have developed strategies for out-group humanization (Vezzali et al, 2022). However, this work offers little evidence of how humanization improves prosocial behavior toward disadvantaged groups and of how humanization can bolster support for policies intended to benefit them.…”

Hostile classism and admiration: antecedents of the perceived humanity of low- and high-socioeconomic-status groups / Clasismo hostil y admiración: antecedentes de la humanidad percibida de los grupos de alto y bajo estatus socioeconómico

“…Reducing low-SES dehumanization is widely related to modifying derogatory attitudes towards the poor and poverty, even when dehumanization and negative attitudes are considered separate processes (Bruneau et al, 2018; Wilde et al, 2014). Well-known strategies to decrease dehumanization among disadvantaged groups (Vezzali et al, 2022) might also be suitable procedures to reduce hostile classist attitudes. On this point, reducing hostile and derogatory perceptions of the poor as vermin individuals who take advantage of the social system (Jones, 2011; Sainz, Loughnan, et al, 2020) might alternatively favour the desire to reduce economic inequality and promote social change.…”

Priming attachment security and outgroup humanization: The mediation role of intergroup emotions

“…It has been discovered that outgroup humanization may be enhanced by direct contact (e.g., [18]), mental simulation of positive encounters with outgroup members (e.g., [19,20]), cross-group friendships [21], and repeated experiences of approaching outgroup members [22]. Humanity perceptions can also be improved by making common identities salient [23] (for other strategies, see [24,25]; for a review of strategies see [26]). In the current contribution, we refer to attachment theory [27] and explore whether manipulations aimed to enhance secure attachment may improve outgroup humanity perceptions, a little-investigated effect in research.…”