Emotions as Constituents, Predictors and Outcomes of Dehumanization

Because emotions are a defining factor of humanity as well as being involved in intergroup prejudice, the dehumanization of individuals and groups has often been studied in relation to emotions. First, perceptions of capacity to feel specific complex emotions have been used to measure perceptions of the human essence of other groups. Second, hostile emotions can promote the dehumanization of other groups. Finally, people who feel they are being dehumanized by others can have negative emotional reactions. The importance of emotions to social relations is reflected in the many ways in which they intersect with dehumanization.