Effective ways for reducing dehumanization: interpersonal and intergroup strategies

People can show a myriad of different characteristics, opposite beliefs, and disparate attitudes, but they all belong to the same superordinate category, that is, the human group. Unfortunately, we all tend to perceive and treat others, especially those that belong to other groups (i.e. outgroups), as if they are less than fully human (dehumanization [1]). This phenomenon involves more than dislike, justifying the exclusion of a single person or specific groups from moral value and consideration 1, 2. In this vein, dehumanization paves the way to the most brutal behaviors (i.e. harm, lack of help, unfair treatment, and unrecognized pain) that sadly continue to characterize the history of humanity (i.e. wars, femicide). Then, it is particularly relevant to understand when and how the perception of others as a less-worthy human can be reduced to prevent harmful behaviors, both at the interpersonal and intergroup levels. In this article, we explicate strategies aimed at reducing dehumanization by distinguishing those that can be implemented at a) the interpersonal level, and those that work at the intergroup level, b) toward a specific group, and c) toward multiple groups. We then illustrate the limits of this research and provide some suggestions for future studies to help further disentangle how to promote the social inclusion of every human being.

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