Class #23: Dehumanization Flashcards
1
Q
What is dehumanization?
A
The act of perceiving or treating people as if they are less than fully human. Dehumanization # Dislike
(animalistic, mechanistic, mystic)
2
Q
What is animalistic dehumanization?
A
- Lacking human qualities, seeing them as animals, ape-like
- Being amoral, lacking culture, irrational, lack of self-control, childlike
- Without refinement, intelligence, beasts
- From subtle to overt: labeling of people as vermin —> committing genicide
3
Q
What is mechanistic dehumanization?
A
- Lacking warmth, emotion, and individuality l
- Likened to inanimate objects
- People are perceived as inert or instrumental
- Related to technology, medicine, capitalism
- A form of objectification
4
Q
What is objectification?
A
- Perceiving an out-group as an object to be used and ultimately replaced
- Instrumentality
- Denial of autonomy
- Inertness
- Fungibility (interchangeable)
- Violability
- Denial of subjectivity
- Ownership
- Denial of individuality
5
Q
What is mystic dehumanization?
A
- Also labeled superhumanization
- Ascribing supernatural and mystical powers to an out-group in contrast with the in-group
- Benign dehumanization is still dehumanization
6
Q
How is dehumanization related to diversity?
A
- Why should we include those we don’t see as human?
- Is humanizing a precondition or an outcome of diversity and inclusion?
- How do we overcome dehumanization? By affirming the humanness of all individuals and groups
7
Q
What is humanness?
A
Human Uniqueness: We differ from animals on attributes involving cognitive capacity, civility, and refinement
Human Nature: We differ from inanimate objects in the basis of emotionality, vitality, and warmth
