Humanness and Dehumanization

What does it mean to be human? Why do people dehumanize others (and sometimes themselves)? These questions have only recently begun to be investigated in earnest within psychology. This volume presents the latest thinking about these and related questions from research leaders in the field of humanness and dehumanization in social psychology and related disciplines. Contributions provide new insights into the history of dehumanization, its different types, and new theories are proposed for when and why dehumanization occurs. While people’s views about what humanness is, and who has it, have long been known as important in understanding ethnic conflict, contributors demonstrate its relevance in other domains, including medical practice, policing, gender relations, and our relationship with the natural environment. Cultural differences and similarities in beliefs about humanness are explored, along with strategies to overcome dehumanization.

In highlighting emerging ideas and theoretical perspectives, describing current theoretical issues and controversies and ways to resolve them, and in extending research to new areas, this volume will influence research on humanness and dehumanization for many years.

Paul G. Bain is Research Fellow in the Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Queensland, Australia. His research focuses on conceptions and attributions of humanness (including dehumanization) and folk beliefs about the future of society. His research has been published in the top social psychology journals including the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, as well as top specialist journals such as Nature Climate Change.

Jeroen Vaes is Assistant Professor at the University of Padova, Italy. His research focuses on humanness as a dimension of social judgment in intergroup relations, and in the realm of sexual and medical objectification. He has published research articles and chapters in the most important international outlets of social psychology. Currently, he is an associate editor of the British Journal of Social Psychology and has received the Jos Jaspars award from the European Association of Social Psychology for early career scientific achievements.

Jacques-Philippe Leyens is Professor Emeritus at the Catholic University of Louvain at Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. He has initiated several lines of research in social perception, intergroup relations, and racism. Chief editor of the European Journal of Social Psychology, he has been president of the European Association of Social Psychology and received the Tajfel award for his work and contribution to the development of social psychology in Europe. He was also associate editor of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology-Interpersonal Relations and Group Processes.