The developmental origins of dehumanisation

Prejudice and intergroup conflict remain substantial social problems across the globe. Perceiving others as ‘less than human’ appears to be an integral aspect of intergroup bias.  In this talk, I discuss our recent research investigating the origins of dehumanisation in development.  I reflect upon the relationship between dehumanisation and key topics in the study of social cognitive development such as theory of mind.  I end by discussing the implications of this work for research-led interventions to encourage more positive intergroup relations.