animalisation

Animalisation refers to the process or tendency of humans to attribute animal-like qualities or behaviors to other humans. This can manifest in various ways, including language, where derogatory terms often compare people to animals to dehumanize them, or in social contexts where certain groups are stereotyped as primitive or savage. Historically, animalisation has been used as a tool to justify oppression, discrimination, and violence by portraying targeted populations as less than human.

The concept is closely related to dehumanization, which involves stripping individuals or groups of their human dignity and rights. Animalisation is a specific form of dehumanization that emphasizes a perceived bestial nature. It can be found in propaganda, literature, and everyday speech, often serving to create an "us versus them" mentality. Recognizing animalisation is important for understanding how prejudice and conflict can arise and be perpetuated. It highlights the dangers of reducing complex human beings to simplistic, often negative, animalistic characteristics.