The objectives of the volume are to direct the field's attention to the unique value of studying interactions between members of different groups and to offer the most up-to-date summaries of prominent and cutting-edge scholarship on this topic written by leading scholars in the field. A central theme of the volume is that improvement in intergroup relationships will only be possible if social scientists simultaneously take into account both the attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and actions of the different groups that shape the nature of intergroup relations. Understanding how members of different groups interact is critical beyond the value of understanding how majority groups behave and how minority groups respond in isolation. Indeed, as the book exemplifies, groups interpret their interaction differently, experiencing different social realities; approach interactions with different goals; and engage each other with different, and often non-compatible, means or strategies. These different realities, goals, and strategies can produce misunderstanding, suspicion, and conflict even when initial intentions are positive and cooperative. The book will be of interest to professionals and students in social psychology, sociology, social work, education, political science, and conflict management, as well as scholars, students, and practitioners interested in anti-bias education and prejudice reduction techniques and strategies.

What does it mean to be human? Why do people dehumanize others (and sometimes themselves)? These questions have only recently begun to be investigated in earnest within psychology. This volume presents the latest thinking about these and related questions from research leaders in the field of humanness and dehumanization in social psychology and related disciplines. Contributions provide new insights into the history of dehumanization, its different types, and new theories are proposed for when and why dehumanization occurs. While people's views about what humanness is, and who has it, have long been known as important in understanding ethnic conflict, contributors demonstrate its relevance in other domains, including medical practice, policing, gender relations, and our relationship with the natural environment. Cultural differences and similarities in beliefs about humanness are explored, along with strategies to overcome dehumanization. In highlighting emerging ideas and theoretical perspectives, describing current theoretical issues and controversies and ways to resolve them, and in extending research to new areas, this volume will influence research on humanness and dehumanization for many years.

The objectives of the volume are to direct the field s attention to the unique value of studying interactions between members of different groups and to offer the most up-to-date summaries of prominent and cutting-edge scholarship on this topic written by leading scholars in the field.

A central theme of the volume is that improvement in intergroup relationships will only be possible if social scientists simultaneously take into account both the attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and actions of the different groups that shape the nature of intergroup relations. Understanding how members of different groups interact is critical beyond the value of understanding how majority groups behave and how minority groups respond in isolation. Indeed, as the book exemplifies, groups interpret their interaction differently, experiencing different social realities; approach interactions with different goals; and engage each other with different, and often non-compatible, means or strategies. These different realities, goals, and strategies can produce misunderstanding, suspicion, and conflict even when initial intentions are positive and cooperative.

The book will be of interest to professionals and students in social psychology, sociology, social work, education, political science, and conflict management, as well as scholars, students, and practitioners interested in anti-bias education and prejudice reduction techniques and strategies.

What does it mean to be human? Why do people dehumanize others (and sometimes themselves)? These questions have only recently begun to be investigated in earnest within psychology. This volume presents the latest thinking about these and related questions from research leaders in the field of humanness and dehumanization in social psychology and related disciplines. Contributions provide new insights into the history of dehumanization, its different types, and new theories are proposed for when and why dehumanization occurs. While people's views about what humanness is, and who has it, have long been known as important in understanding ethnic conflict, contributors demonstrate its relevance in other domains, including medical practice, policing, gender relations, and our relationship with the natural environment. Cultural differences and similarities in beliefs about humanness are explored, along with strategies to overcome dehumanization. In highlighting emerging ideas and theoretical perspectives, describing current theoretical issues and controversies and ways to resolve them, and in extending research to new areas, this volume will influence research on humanness and dehumanization for many years.