De(Super)humanization as a Function of Deviation from Prototypical Humanness

Abstract

A cognitive model of de(super)humanization is proposed advocating that de(super)humanization may be a product of individuals’ perceptions of social targets as deviating from prototypical humanness (DPH) drawn from people’s social experiences which entails moderately high levels of warmth (i.e., friendliness and morality) and capability (i.e., various human capabilities). As social targets moving farer away from the center of the two-dimensional space representing prototypical humanness, they may be de(super)humanized according to the magnitude and direction of the deviation. Whereas a deviation within a certain range may not be seen as a sign of de(super)humanization, a substantial deviation may suggest subtle or even blatant de(super)humanization. Although not without limitations, the DPH model of de(super)humanization offers a new perspective to examine de(super)humanization and tackles some questions that remained unsolved in previous theoretical frameworks of dehumanization. Viable measures to capture de(super)humanization and future directions to advance the line of research on de(super)humanization are suggested