Infrahumanization as a function of the meanings made of inter-group relationships

Abstract

Infrahumanization is an inter-group process in which group members do not see members of a different group as possessing equal humanness to that of their own group. This is equivalent to omission from the superordinate human in-group. The infrahumanization effect is most commonly operationally defined as occurring when more uniquely human emotions or traits are attributed to a participant's own group relative to a relevant out-group and non-uniquely human emotions or traits are attributed equally between the groups. Studies have shown that infrahumanized groups are granted less help and forgiveness, morally excluded, and that violence towards such a group results in less guilt. These effects have been replicated in a number of studies, mostly using nationality or ethnic inter-group contexts. The theoretical framework of this thesis couches infrahumanization in terms of Social Identity Theory and Self-Categorization Theory as an outcome of social identity processes when the relevant dimension of inter-group comparison is humanness. Additional theoretical work draws comparisons between infrahumanization and other inter-group processes, including moral exclusion, dehumanization, delegitimization, and in-group projection, hypothesizing that the processes may be elicited by similar necessary and sufficient conditions. The theoretical section concludes with four overarching hypotheses for the thesis. The initial aim of the thesis is to contribute to the body of literature analysing the necessary and sufficient conditions required to elicit infrahumanization. However, in five systematic studies, the effect is not observed in Australian samples, despite using several different inter-group contexts and using various measures of infrahumanization. At the same time, it is clear that other inter-group processes are at work such as in-group favouritism in altruism and point allocation measures. The sixth study is key to the thesis, in that it is the first observation of denial of uniquely human traits to an out-group in an Australian context. It also observes differential attribution of humanness traits depending on the nature of the inter-group relationship. However, this is with a human-animal inter-group context so the ability to draw conclusions on human inter-group infrahumanization is limited. The final study is cross-cultural, comparing attribution of three dimensions of humanness in samples in Australia, Spain, Switzerland, and Poland with two different inter-group contexts. In this final study, the methodology of the previous studies in the thesis is supported, as some inter-group contexts result in the infrahumanization pattern of humanness attribution. Broadly speaking, out-groups are denied humanness relative to in-groups. Infrahumanization patterns of emotion attribution are often qualified by valence, as is evident in previous studies in the thesis, resulting in patterns more similar to in-group favouritism. The study therefore provides evidence that while infrahumanization is not common to all inter-group relationships, infrahumanization can occur in an Australian context. Published work has attempted to identify certain necessary and sufficient conditions (i.e. conflict or perceived morality) that will elicit infrahumanization. Based on the data, I argue, instead, that infrahumanization is the result of a complex interplay of characteristics in the meanings made of the inter-group context and of inter-group dynamics such as positive distinctiveness and boundary permeability. -- provided by Candidate. Show more