Feeling Less Than Human

Research on dehumanisation has typically examined the factors that lead individuals
to dehumanise others. This dissertation is significant in that it is among the first attempts to
empirically investigate dehumanisation from the perspective of the dehumanised individual.
Chapter 1 reviewed the literature and discussed the importance of investigating
dehumanisation from the perspective of the victim. Chapter 2 explored the range of
experiences people view as dehumanising. A qualitative study using recalled dehumanising
episodes investigated who respondents identified as the perpetrator and their emotional
reactions to dehumanisation. The results of Study 1 showed that dehumanisation occurs on a
continuum ranging from extreme cases of ongoing abuse to single instances of light ridicule.
Further, dehumanisation was more likely to occur within the context of the victim's social
network rather than with outgroup members or socially distant others. Emotional reactions to
dehumanisation commonly involved intense feelings of shame, anger and sadness.
Social exclusion was found to be a dehumanising experience in Chapter 2. Using a
quasi-experimental design, the study in Chapter 3 investigated whether experiences of
animalistic and mechanistic dehumanisation negatively impact the fundamental needs
including belonging, control, self-esteem and meaningful existence. The findings revealed
that experiences of animalistic dehumanisation are just as likely as exclusion to threaten the
fundamental needs. Whereas, experiences of mechanistic dehumanisation are less likely to
threaten one's sense of self-esteem and belonging compared to being excluded.