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Observing Social Exclusion Leads to Dehumanizing the Victim
1Department of Psychology, Chungbuk National University , Cheongju, South Korea.
Frontiers in Psychology
|December 5, 2015
Summary
Witnessing social exclusion reduces perceived humanness in victims, attributing them lower mental capacities. Perpetrators, however, are seen as more human, highlighting subtle derogation of victims.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Social exclusion is a prevalent human experience.
- Understanding its cognitive and social consequences is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how observing social exclusion affects judgments of victim and perpetrator humanness.
- To examine attributions of mental capacities and human nature/uniqueness.
Main Methods:
- Participants observed a simulated ball-tossing game depicting ostracism.
- Judgments of players' humanness (Human Nature and Human Uniqueness) were assessed.
- Vulnerability to exploitation was also measured.
Main Results:
- Victims were judged as less human (lower HN and HU) than perpetrators and control players.
- Perpetrators received higher Human Nature (HN) attributions than control players.
- Lower HN attributions correlated with perceived vulnerability to exploitation.
Conclusions:
- Observing social exclusion leads to subtle derogation of victims' humanness.
- Perpetrators are perceived as more human, despite victims receiving other positive evaluations.
- These findings illuminate the psychological impact of witnessing ostracism.
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