What is "dehumanization"

alt. The act or process of dehumanize n. The act or process of dehumanize

n. the act of degrading people with respect to their best qualities; "science has been blamed for the dehumanization of modern life" [syn: dehumanisation]

Dehumanization or dehumanisation describes the denial of " humanness" to other people. It is theorized to take on two forms: animalistic dehumanization, which is employed on a largely intergroup basis, and mechanistic dehumanization, which is employed on a largely interpersonal basis. Dehumanization can occur discursively (e.g., idiomatic language that likens certain human beings to non-human animals, verbal abuse, erasing one's voice from discourse), symbolically (e.g., imagery), or physically (e.g., chattel slavery, physical abuse, refusing eye contact). Dehumanization often ignores the target's individuality (i.e., the creative and interesting aspects of their personality) and can hinder one from feeling empathy or properly understanding a stigmatized group of people.

Dehumanization may be carried out by a social institution (such as a state, school, or family), interpersonally, or even within the self. Dehumanization can be unintentional, especially on the part of individuals, as with some types of de facto racism. State-organized dehumanization has historically been directed against perceived political, racial, ethnic, national, or religious minority groups. Other minoritized and marginalized individuals and groups (based on sexual orientation, gender, disability, class, or some other organizing principle) are also susceptible to various forms of dehumanization. The concept of dehumanization has received empirical attention in the psychological literature. It is conceptually related to infrahumanization, delegitimization, moral exclusion, and objectification. Dehumanization occurs across several domains; is facilitated by status, power, and social connection; and results in behaviors like exclusion, violence, and support for violence against others.

“Dehumanisation is viewed as a central component to intergroup violence because it is frequently the most important precursor to moral exclusion, the process by which stigmatized groups are placed outside the boundary in which moral values, rules, and considerations of fairness apply.”

David Livingstone Smith, director and founder of The Human Nature Project at the University of New England, argues that historically, human beings have been dehumanizing one another for thousands of years.

Dehumanization is the only full-length album released by American hardcore punk band Crucifix. Released in 1983, it is today regarded as one of the classic anarcho-punk records, as well as an important D-beat record.

The song "Prejudice" was covered live by the American anarcho-punk band Aus-Rotten, and released on their 1997 Not One Single Fucking Hit Discography compilation. "Annihilation" has been covered by the Brazilian metal band Sepultura and the American alternative rock band A Perfect Circle. The Varukers cover "Indo-China"