Toward a Comprehensive Taxonomy of Dehumanization: Integrating Two Senses of Humanness, Mind Perception Theory, and Stereotype Content Model

We review and integrate existing literature on perceptions of humanness and dehumanization. Synthesizing three independent lines of research (Haslam’s two senses of humanness, mind perception theory, the stereotype content model), we provide a taxonomy of different phenomena (e.g., animalistic and mechanistic dehumanization, objectification, demonization, etc.) that all fall under the broad category of dehumanization. In our current framework, humanness is understood in terms of two basic dimensions: one concerned with agency, competence, and other characteristics that are seen as uniquely human, and the other concerned with experience, interpersonal warmth, and other characteristics that are seen as the essence of human nature. Combinations of these two dimensions result in a mixed model with four main clusters depicting different ways in which humanness is denied or recognized in others. Implications for intergroup and interpersonal relations are also discussed.