PsychologyAugust 31, 2026

dehumanized

dee-HYU-muh-nyzd

Definition

To view or treat a person or group as less than human, often by depriving them of human qualities, dignity, or individuality.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'de-' (meaning off or away) and the word 'humanize,' which comes from the Latin 'humanus.' It entered English to describe the act of stripping away human characteristics.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe how people incorrectly assume opposing political groups view them as uncivilized or less than human, a perception known as meta-dehumanization.

Researchers identify a simple way to soften deep political divides

Read the full article ↗

PsyPost

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