Humanizing Outgroups Through Multiple Categorization: The Roles of Individuation and Threat

Prati, Francesca; Crisp, Richard J.; Meleady, Rose; Rubini, Monica

Abstract

In three studies, we examined the impact of multiple categorization on intergroup dehumanization. Study 1 showed that perceiving members of a rival university along multiple versus simple categorical dimensions enhanced the tendency to attribute human traits to this group. Study 2 showed that multiple versus simple categorization of immigrants increased the attribution of uniquely human emotions to them. This effect was explained by the sequential mediation of increased individuation of the outgroup and reduced outgroup threat. Study 3 replicated this sequential mediation model and introduced a novel way of measuring humanization in which participants generated attributes corresponding to the outgroup in a free response format. Participants generated more uniquely human traits in the multiple versus simple categorization conditions. We discuss the theoretical implications of these findings and consider their role in informing and improving efforts to ameliorate contemporary forms of intergroup discrimination.

Citation

Prati, F., Crisp, R. J., Meleady, R., & Rubini, M. (2016). Humanizing Outgroups Through Multiple Categorization: The Roles of Individuation and Threat. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 42(4), 526-539. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167216636624

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 7, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Mar 16, 2016
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Aug 23, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 5, 2017
• Journal: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
• Print ISSN: 0146-1672
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-7433
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 526-539
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167216636624
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1378507