The Link Between Self-Dehumanization and Immoral Behavior. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kouchaki, Maryam; Dobson, Kyle S. H.; Waytz, Adam; Kteily, Nour S.
• Is Part Of: Psychological science. Volume 29:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 1234
• Page End: 1246
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: morality -- self-dehumanization -- repeated dishonesty -- open data -- preregistered; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.5
• DOI: 10.1177/0956797618760784
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-7976

Abstract

People perceive morality to be distinctively human, with immorality representing a lack of full humanness. In eight experiments, we examined the link between immorality and self-dehumanization, testing both (a) the causal role of immoral behavior on self-dehumanization and (b) the causal role of self-dehumanization on immoral behavior. Studies 1a to 1d showed that people feel less human after behaving immorally and that these effects were not driven by having a negative experience but were unique to experiences of immorality (Study 1d). Studies 2a to 2c showed that self-dehumanization can lead to immoral and antisocial behavior. Study 3 highlighted how self-dehumanization can sometimes produce downward spirals of immorality, demonstrating initial unethical behavior leading to self-dehumanization, which in turn promotes continued dishonesty. These results demonstrate a clear relationship between self-dehumanization and unethical behavior, and they extend previous theorizing on dehumanization.