Methodological And Theoretical Investigations Of The Ascent Of Human Scale

Abstract

Prior research in dehumanization has elected to indirectly measure the extent to which individuals deny fundamental aspects of humanity to other groups. However, recent research suggests the study participants are more than willing to declare how human or unhuman like they feel various social groups are. An influential measure of assessing this blatant form of dehumanization is known as the Ascent of Human Scale (AOH). Despite much research providing evidence of blatant dehumanization towards out-groups, little research has specifically focused on testing assumptions pertaining to the scale’s administration or applying the scale to prior research settings. This thesis adds on the growing literature aimed at assessing methodological aspects of the AOH scale in addition to examining the relationship between blatant dehumanization and other psychological constructs. In study one, we build on prior work by manipulating the instructions participants typically see when giving ratings on the AOH. Results suggest that instructions do not appear to affect how participants rate social groups even when respondents are told the nature of the scale and what it is used for. In studies two and three we manipulate the extent to which a social group stands out amongst others on the AOH. Results reveal that group salience matters only when the in-group of participants is not present on the scale for rating. In studies four and five we examine the relationship between ascent dehumanization and social power, the ability to influence the behaviors of others. In study four we experimentally manipulate participants social power then have them rate various social groups on the AOH. In study five we measure respondents’ personal sense of power followed by social group ratings on the AOH. Results reveal that social power is not related to blatant dehumanization, challenging prior literature that has found a link between power and dehumanization in general.