Dissociations between animalistic and mechanistic dehumanization in the context of labor exploitation

Across eight studies (and two additional supplemental studies), we investigate possible bidirectional causal links between dehumanization and exploitation (total N = 5923). Participants were less opposed to the exploitation of mechanistically dehumanized workers – i.e., workers perceived to lack traits central to human nature like emotionality and warmth – than other workers (Studies 1–5). The effects of mechanistic dehumanization on exploitation judgments were statistically explained by perceptions that mechanistically dehumanized workers are more capable of enduring experiences that typically elicit suffering and hardship (Studies 2–4). We also found evidence against several other possible explanations for the effects of mechanistic dehumanization on exploitation judgments (i.e., competence, dependability, likeability; Studies 2–4). In addition, we found consistent evidence for the reverse causal pathway: Workers who are exploited – relative to workers who are not exploited – are more likely to be attributed qualities indicative of mechanistic dehumanization (Studies 6–8; Supplemental Studies 1–2). The effects across studies were invariant to job type, the perceived race/ethnicity and gender of the target worker, and the specific case of exploitation. In addition, the relationships between dehumanization and exploitation judgments were specific to the mechanistic form of dehumanization and not the animalistic form – i.e., perceiving others as lacking traits that distinguish humans from animals like self-control, rationality, civility. These bidirectional causal relations between mechanistic dehumanization and exploitation have the potential to create a vicious cycle of suffering and unfair treatment for certain workers.

Duke Scholars

Author Aaron Charles Kay Fuqua School of Business