The Emergence of Belief Attribution and Dehumanization Are Associated
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| Title: | The Emergence of Belief Attribution and Dehumanization Are Associated |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Wen Zhou, Brian Hare |
| Source: | Developmental Science. 2026 29(3). |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 17 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Humanization, Theory of Mind, Young Children, Child Development, Intergroup Relations, Beliefs, Cognitive Development |
| DOI: | 10.1111/desc.70165 |
| ISSN: | 1363-755X 1467-7687 |
| Abstract: | Dehumanization is hypothesized to involve denying others a fully human mind. We tested its proposed link with theory-of-mind development in 3- to 6-year-olds (total N = 247) using a minimal group paradigm framed as a competition. Across two experiments, only children who understood false beliefs rated the outgroup as less human than the ingroup, although they liked the outgroup less regardless of their theory-of-mind performance. As theory-of-mind development advanced, outgroup dehumanization increased, with intent to harm the outgroup only being associated with dehumanization among children who also understood second-order beliefs (n = 51). However, the strength of this relationship remains uncertain since the effect became marginally significance after controlling for intergroup liking. These results provide initial support for theory-of-mind abilities being related to the development of dehumanization. They also point to the potential for intervention during early childhood before an association between dehumanization and aggression forms. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1504497 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Dehumanization is hypothesized to involve denying others a fully human mind. We tested its proposed link with theory-of-mind development in 3- to 6-year-olds (total N = 247) using a minimal group paradigm framed as a competition. Across two experiments, only children who understood false beliefs rated the outgroup as less human than the ingroup, although they liked the outgroup less regardless of their theory-of-mind performance. As theory-of-mind development advanced, outgroup dehumanization increased, with intent to harm the outgroup only being associated with dehumanization among children who also understood second-order beliefs (n = 51). However, the strength of this relationship remains uncertain since the effect became marginally significance after controlling for intergroup liking. These results provide initial support for theory-of-mind abilities being related to the development of dehumanization. They also point to the potential for intervention during early childhood before an association between dehumanization and aggression forms. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1363-755X 1467-7687 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/desc.70165 |
