Dirty jobs and dehumanization of workers
Roberta Rosa Valtorta1, Cristina Baldissarri1, Luca Andrighetto2
1University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy.
Abstract:
The present study aims at expanding research on dehumanization in the work domain by exploring laypeople's dehumanizing perceptions towards stigmatized workers. Starting from Hughes' (1951, Social psychology at the crossroads, Harper & Brothers, New York; Ashforth & Kreiner, 1999, Academy of Management Review, 24, 413) concept of 'dirty work', the present research aims to demonstrate that the different types of occupational taint elicit distinct dehumanizing images of certain occupational groups. Employing a cluster analysis, the results showed that workers in the physical taint cluster were most strongly associated with biological metaphors, workers in the social taint cluster were perceived as most similar to objects, and workers in the moral taint cluster were perceived as most similar to animals. The theoretical and practical implications are considered.
Related Concept Videos
Altruism
Framing Effects
Persuasion Strategies
The Availability Heuristic
Milgram's Obedience to Authority
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination


