Dehumanization in group dynamics: The effect of group size and group status in minimal groups

Conflict and claims of superiority between groups form the basis of discrimination processes. This study examines how "us" and "them" categorization of ingroup and outgroup affects intergroup discrimination processes. On the basis of Social Identity Theory and Dehumanization theories, we investigate how group membership, group size and group status affect the attribution of human traits and emotions to ingroups and outgroups. Three experiments examined the effects of these factors on minimal groups formed in a laboratory setting. In the first study, participants were assigned to minimal groups using a dot estimation task and group size was manipulated. In the second study, a similar design was repeated using the aesthetic preference task. In the third study, both group size and group status were manipulated using a dot estimation task. The results showed that individuals tend to form a positive perception of social identity towards their ingroup and that this is in line with the assumptions of Social Identity Theory. The study revealed that more positive human traits and secondary emotions were attributed to the ingroup, while the outgroup was evaluated with more negative human traits. While no direct effect of group size was found, high-status minority groups were found to attribute more primary human emotions to their ingroup. While the findings contribute to the understanding of dehumanization processes in minimal group conditions, they have limitations such as the lack of emotional context in minimal group conditions, unlike real- life group dynamics, and the inability to include some variables in the analyses. Future research should deepen these findings by considering different sample groups and contextual factors.