No convincing evidence outgroups are denied uniquely human characteristics: Distinguishing intergroup preference from traitbased dehumanization

TY - JOUR

T1 - No convincing evidence outgroups are denied uniquely human characteristics

T2 - Distinguishing intergroup preference from traitbased dehumanization

AU - Enock, Florence

AU - Flavell, Jonathan Charles

AU - Tipper, Steven Paul

AU - Over, Harriet

N1 - © 2021 The Authors.

PY - 2021/7/1

Y1 - 2021/7/1

N2 - According to the dual model, outgroup members can be dehumanized by beingthought to possess uniquely and characteristically human traits to a lesser extent than ingroup members. However, previous research on this topic has tended to investigate the attribution of human traits that are socially desirable in nature such as warmth, civility and rationality. As a result, it has not yet been possible to determine whether this form of dehumanization is distinct from intergroup preference and stereotyping. We first establish that participants associate undesirable (e.g., corrupt, jealous) as well as desirable (e.g., open-minded, generous) traits with humans. We then go on to show that participants tend to attribute desirable human traits more strongly to ingroup members but undesirable human traits more strongly to outgroup members. This pattern holds across three different intergroup contexts for which dehumanization effects have previously been reported: political opponents, immigrants and criminals. Taken together, these studies cast doubt on the claim that a trait-based account ofrepresenting others as ‘less human’ holds value in the study of intergroup bias.

AB - According to the dual model, outgroup members can be dehumanized by beingthought to possess uniquely and characteristically human traits to a lesser extent than ingroup members. However, previous research on this topic has tended to investigate the attribution of human traits that are socially desirable in nature such as warmth, civility and rationality. As a result, it has not yet been possible to determine whether this form of dehumanization is distinct from intergroup preference and stereotyping. We first establish that participants associate undesirable (e.g., corrupt, jealous) as well as desirable (e.g., open-minded, generous) traits with humans. We then go on to show that participants tend to attribute desirable human traits more strongly to ingroup members but undesirable human traits more strongly to outgroup members. This pattern holds across three different intergroup contexts for which dehumanization effects have previously been reported: political opponents, immigrants and criminals. Taken together, these studies cast doubt on the claim that a trait-based account ofrepresenting others as ‘less human’ holds value in the study of intergroup bias.

U2 - 10.1016/j.cognition.2021.104682

DO - 10.1016/j.cognition.2021.104682

M3 - Article

SN - 0010-0277

VL - 212

JO - Cognition

JF - Cognition

M1 - 104682

ER -