Meta-humanization reduces prejudice, even under high intergroup threat.

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Intergroup Relations

Background:

• Meta-dehumanization fuels intergroup hostility and discrimination.
• Meta-humanization, the perception of one's own group as dignified, is under-researched.
• Understanding these dynamics is crucial for improving intergroup relations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the benefits of meta-humanization in Muslim-non-Muslim relations.
• To examine if meta-humanization indirectly reduces prejudice through outgroup humanization.
• To explore the moderating role of perceived intergroup threat.

Main Methods:

• Seven studies with 1,261 participants in Canada and the UK.
• Examined indirect effects of meta-humanization on prejudice.
• Investigated moderation by perceived intergroup threat, including Muslim perspectives.

Main Results:

• Meta-humanization indirectly reduces prejudice by increasing outgroup humanization.
• Perceived intergroup threat moderates this indirect effect.
• High threat can diminish the positive impact of meta-humanization on prejudice and intergroup contact interest.

Conclusions:

• Meta-humanization offers a potential pathway to reduce prejudice.
• Intergroup threat significantly influences the effectiveness of meta-humanization.
• Findings have implications for mitigating meta-dehumanization and fostering positive intergroup dynamics.