Abstract
Dehumanization is a complex, relational and subjective phenomenon. Studies on it primarily focus on how it enables abuse in the midst of conflict, or how it shapes perceptions of others. Scholars, however, have not deconstructed it into components. The current article breaks down dehumanization into three components: elements, characteristics, and dimensions. It is hoped that the discussion of the connection between the three can encourage additional discussions on how each of the components contributes to dehumanization and how that can help towards undermining it. Until the phenomenon is understood from its most basic to its most elaborate parts, undermining dehumanization as a means to securing positive peace will remain challenging. The components came to the fore through the content analysis of dehumanization in anecdotes from survivors of the Holocaust. The latter study looked into the use of non-human referents applied to humans or their lived experiences. The findings were additionally considered in light of the literature on perpetrators and of samples that matched search criteria but were not deemed dehumanizing.
Keywords
dehumanization, Holocaust, human-dog relation, labeling/euphemisms, propaganda, systems theory
Publication Date
5-2015
DOI
10.46743/1082-7307/2015.1271
Recommended Citation
Luna, Aniuska M.
(2015)
"The Components of Dehumanization,"
Peace and Conflict Studies: Vol. 22:
No.
1, Article 2.
DOI: 10.46743/1082-7307/2015.1271
Available at:
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/pcs/vol22/iss1/2
