Dehumanization: The Catastrophic Loss of Our Shared Humanity

"Autoimmune conditions are a set of diseases that include rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. They are caused by our immune systems misidentifying cells and tissues in our bodies as harmful invaders; what is supposed to protect us ends up attacking us. Researchers have highlighted that autoimmune conditions are on the rise (Conrad et al., 2023). The growing threat that autoimmune conditions pose to humans provides a powerful analogue for a process that threatens humanity - dehumanization."

"Dehumanization is the process by which people fail to recognize and respect the humanity of others. Levels of empathy and compassion are eroded and moral constraints on behaviour are loosened. This can manifest in a range of malignant behaviours including prejudice, discrimination, violence, enslavement and genocide. Dehumanization can be likened to an 'auto humane condition'; humanity attacks itself. Why does dehumanization happen? Different theories have been proposed to explain dehumanization."

"The 'social neuroscience ' theory of dehumanization proposes that it arises from a failure to recognise that other people possess their own beliefs, aspirations and intentions (Harris & Fiske, 2006; 2011). Additionally, the 'dual model' of dehumanization (Haslam, 2006) proposes two distinct forms of dehumanization that develop through different pathways: Animalistic dehumanization is linked to the denial of what is referred to as 'human uniqueness' - characteristics including civility, refinement, moral sensibility, rationality, and maturity. This leads to a group being"

Dehumanization stems from failures to recognize intrinsic human qualities, analogous to autoimmune diseases misidentifying the body's own cells as harmful. Empathy and compassion are eroded during dehumanization and moral constraints on behavior weaken, enabling prejudice, discrimination, violence, enslavement, and genocide. Social neuroscience theory attributes dehumanization to failure to recognize others' beliefs, aspirations, and intentions. The dual model identifies distinct pathways, such as animalistic dehumanization that denies human uniqueness—features like civility, refinement, moral sensibility, rationality, and maturity. Activating caregiving motives, fostering intergroup contact, and emphasizing intersecting identities can reduce dehumanization and restore recognition of shared humanity.

Read at Psychology Today