Accessibility statement

Black History Month - The Role of Dehumanization in Violent Conflict and Peacebuilding

Tuesday 8 October 2024, 4.00PM to 5.00pm

Speaker(s): Professor Lasana Harris, UCL

Abstract: Dehumanization has always been theoretically considered a causal or motivating factor behind violent conflicts and human atrocities, the ‘fuel for the fire’. However, recent empirical research has brought its causal role into question. Here, I describe an alternate flexible social cognition theory of dehumanization in light of such empirical findings, and discuss the implications of this novel theory for peace-building. Dehumanization results from flexible social cognition, a failure to spontaneously engage social cognition processing. The underlying brain mechanisms suggest it is an everyday occurrence, and something of which all people are capable. I begin by reviewing the classic theories of dehumanization, before discussing flexible social cognition in more detail. I then elaborate on the motives for dehumanization, discussing the extent to which they could play a role in facilitating violent conflict and hamper peace-building efforts. Next, I compare dehumanization with other possible psychological mechanisms operational during violent conflict and peace-building. Finally, I discuss implications of flexible social cognition for reactive and pro-active approaches to violent conflicts and peace-building.

Location: PS/B/020