From dehumanization and objectification to rehumanization: Neuroimaging studies on the building blocks of empathy

Susan T. Fiske

doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04544.x

From dehumanization and objectification to rehumanization: Neuroimaging studies on the building blocks of empathy

Susan T. Fiske

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Social neuroscience offers a window into the mental origins of empathy. People must appreciate another mind in order to empathize. People first categorize the other as human, assuming a mind, and then differentiate among social categories according to universal dimensions of perceived traits: warmth and competence. The least warm and competent groups (poor people, homeless, drug addicts) may even be denied humanity and a meaningful mind, according to both neural and behavioral responses to allegedly disgusting outcasts. Other groups may be instead envied and viewed as tools or automatons, that is, objectified. The patterns can reverse when perceivers must consider the other's preferences, that is, appreciate the other's mind.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Values, Empathy, and Fairness across Social Barriers
Publisher	Blackwell Publishing Inc.
Pages	31-34
Number of pages	4
ISBN (Print)	9781573317603
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04544.x
State	Published - Jun 2009

Publication series

Name	Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume	1167
ISSN (Print)	0077-8923
ISSN (Electronic)	1749-6632

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
General Neuroscience
History and Philosophy of Science

Keywords

Amygdala
Dehumanization
Empathy
Mind
Objectification
Prejudice
Social cognition
Social neuroscience
mPFC

Access to Document

10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04544.x

Cite this

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title = "From dehumanization and objectification to rehumanization: Neuroimaging studies on the building blocks of empathy",

abstract = "Social neuroscience offers a window into the mental origins of empathy. People must appreciate another mind in order to empathize. People first categorize the other as human, assuming a mind, and then differentiate among social categories according to universal dimensions of perceived traits: warmth and competence. The least warm and competent groups (poor people, homeless, drug addicts) may even be denied humanity and a meaningful mind, according to both neural and behavioral responses to allegedly disgusting outcasts. Other groups may be instead envied and viewed as tools or automatons, that is, objectified. The patterns can reverse when perceivers must consider the other's preferences, that is, appreciate the other's mind.",

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From dehumanization and objectification to rehumanization: Neuroimaging studies on the building blocks of empathy. / Fiske, Susan T.
Values, Empathy, and Fairness across Social Barriers. Blackwell Publishing Inc., 2009. p. 31-34 (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences; Vol. 1167).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

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From dehumanization and objectification to rehumanization: Neuroimaging studies on the building blocks of empathy

Abstract

Publication series

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

Access to Document

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