Lower subjective socioeconomic status is associated with self-dehumanization rather than other-dehumanization: the mediating role of belief in a just world / El nivel socioeconómico subjetivo bajo no está vinculado con la deshumanización del otro sino del yo: el rol mediador de la creencia en un mundo justo

Abstract

Previous studies relating socioeconomic status (SES) to dehumanization mainly focused on how low- and high-SES groups were dehumanized (i.e., as the target of dehumanization). However, studies considering the associations between perceiver’s subjective socioeconomic status (SSS) and self- as well as other-dehumanization are scarce. Furthermore, belief in a just world (BJW) is thought to be linked in these associations. Thus, the main goal of this research is to examine direct and indirect associations of individuals’ SSS and self- or other-dehumanization via BJW among 583 college students. We found SSS predicted self-dehumanization negatively. Nevertheless, the predictive effect of SSS for other-dehumanization was not significant. Additionally, BJW mediated the relationship between SSS and dehumanization. Our findings broaden the domain of dehumanization by providing evidence on the role of individuals’ SSS in the perception of their own and others’ humanity. Moreover, in light of the harm of self-dehumanization, future studies should attach importance to the role of self-dehumanization of lower-status individuals in hindering their upward social mobility.