strategiesdehumanization

Dehumanization is a psychological and social process wherein individuals or groups are stripped of their humanity, perceived as less than human, and therefore less deserving of moral consideration and respect. Strategies of dehumanization are the methods employed to achieve this effect. These strategies often involve portraying the target group as animalistic, monstrous, or as an infectious disease, thereby removing their commonality with the perpetrator group.

One common strategy is the use of demeaning language and epithets. By associating individuals with derogatory terms that evoke negative stereotypes or non-human entities, their perceived status is lowered. Another tactic involves emphasizing perceived differences and otherness. This can be achieved through propaganda that highlights the unique, often negative, characteristics of a target group, creating a stark contrast with the in-group.

The attribution of negative traits, such as criminality, immorality, or disease, is another powerful strategy. This portrays the target group as a threat that needs to be contained or eliminated, justifying harmful actions against them. Additionally, dehumanization can be facilitated by creating distance, both physical and psychological. This might involve segregation or the denial of basic rights, which further reinforces the perception of the target group as separate and inferior. The systematic denial of individual agency and complex emotional lives also contributes to dehumanization, reducing individuals to mere objects or abstract concepts. These strategies are often employed in contexts of conflict, genocide, and systemic oppression to facilitate violence and discrimination.