Reducing dehumanisation outcomes: The role of multiple and human categorisation and perceived similarity

Dehumanisation in intergroup relations is a widespread phenomenon. This contribution addressed for the first time the role of multiple vs. simple categorisation in affecting dehumanisation. It also considered whether the effect of multiple categorisation would be moderated by membership on a salient categorisation dimension (skin colour). The impact of superordinate human categorisation was also analysed. Participants were presented with a profile of a target described by multiple categorical criteria. Among these, only target skin colour (white vs. black) varied across conditions. Human identity was primed asking participants to complete a scale of identification with the human group. Dehumanisation towards the target was assessed both in a relatively implicit way (i.e., attribution of secondary emotions) and more explicitly (i.e., inalienability of human rights). Perceived similarity with the target was assessed. Evidence showed that multiple categorisation reduced dehumanisation and that its effects were moderated by skin colour. When human categorisation was primed, the multiple black target was “humanised” via attribution of secondary emotions to a larger extent, whereas no difference between these targets emerged for human rights. Perceived similarity mediated the effects of the above factors. Implications of multiple and human categorisation in changing the holistic perception of others will be discussed with reference to the available models on prejudice reduction.