When we think of inhumanity, we imagine extremes: wartime propaganda, abuse, and comparing people to vermin. But modern psychology suggests something more subtle and pervasive. Dehumanization can be the daily inability to imagine what another person is thinking or feeling, based on the same labels that help us navigate a complex world (Haslam, 2006). Once a person is reduced to one label, the rest of them can disappear from view.
This way of describing dehumanization has practical implications. If dehumanization is not just an act of evil, but a partial cognitive distortion, then dehumanization is something we can practice and create an environment to encourage.
Three concepts from psychology
1. Labels can short-circuit the social brain
Functional neuroimaging shows that when people see photos of non-stigmatized social groups, the medial prefrontal cortex (the center for reasoning about the opinions of others) is reliably activated. But when participants saw photos of individuals from highly stigmatized groups, this activation was reduced and instead disgust-related regions were recruited (Harris & Fiske, 2006). In other words, the category label can interrupt the brain process that normally registers another person as a peer with similar thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Reducing someone to the label of “criminal” or “addict” can make it difficult to view them neurologically.
2. The brain’s default setting is social
The same neurology Dehumanizing documents also offers a hopeful counterpoint. When the mind is at rest, it is said network in standard mode is activated and much of its activity is devoted to thinking about others, their mental states, and our relationships with them (Andrews-Hanna et al., 2014). Humans, on a neural level, are designed to reason. We even attribute this tendency to intelligences and personalities outside of our own species domestic animalswhen we are motivated to connect with machines and objects or to understand the world (Epley et al., 2007).
3. Stigma and Structure, not Biology, causes failure
If our brains are specialized for thinking about others, why are we often unable to do so for whole groups of people? Research on stigma refers to the social architecture around us: norms, status hierarchies, and institutions that define certain groups as “less than” and hide their inner lives (Link & Phelan, 2001). Segregation, media frames, and algorithmic feeds further limit who and how we meet. The problem is not that dehumanization is difficult, but that we live within structures that facilitate dehumanization.
Three action steps
1. Trade categories for three-dimensional stories
Decades of research show that meaningful communication across group lines diminishes superstitionespecially when it allows you to get to know people rather than confirm stereotypes (Pettigrew and Tropp, 2006). Narrative is an especially important tool for humanizing because when people are immersed in a well-told story, their beliefs and evaluations change to match that story (Green & Brock, 2000). In conversations and outreach, replace single-label descriptions (“homeless,” “user”) with multidimensional accounts of people, including their roles, talents, hopes, and faults.
2. Use the media as a bridge when direct contact is limited
Direct communication is not always possible, especially for geographically isolated groups. Here is parasocial contact or repeated exposure to television, movies, podcasts, or outgroup members. social networkscan lead to measurable reductions in prejudice (Schiappa et al., 2005). A field experiment in post-genocide Rwanda has shown that a year-long radio drama is transnational friendship and reconciliation changed the social norms and behaviors of trainees compared to a control program (Paluck, 2009). Search and raise humanitarian narrativesespecially about communities where your everyday life is rare.
3. Diversify your data Diet and Practice A positive outlook
Algorithmic feeds tend to deliver more of what we’re already engaged in, narrowing our exposure to people and seeming already alien. To counter this, listen for voices outside your usual circles and stop, what would it be like if I were you? Prospective exercises such as these can activate mental systems that suppress labels (Harris and Fiske, 2006). Little habits of mind imaginationDescribing the other person’s day, fears, and reasons helps restore the standard.
Summary
Dehumanization is not always an intentional act of hatred, but can occur in response to social categorization. The encouraging news is that humanization is not inherently difficult, but something close to the brain’s natural state. It turns on when we make room for stories, connections, and other perspectives to be considered.
