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Cogs in the machine: The prioritization of money and self-dehumanization

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  • Ruttan, Rachel L.
  • Lucas, Brian J.

Abstract

The dehumanization of other people is an unfortunately common occurrence that drives discrimination and conflict. We examined when and why the self can also be dehumanized. Across six studies, we found a reciprocal relationship between self-dehumanization and the prioritization of money. Participants who prioritized money (vs. control participants) attributed less humanness to themselves (Studies 1–4), and in turn, chose to socially distance themselves from a coworker (Study 4). Participants led to self-humanize (vs. control participants) were less likely to prioritize money over other goals (Studies 5A-6). The human nature dimension of humanness, which refers to attributes that separate humans from inanimate objects, was more sensitive to money-prioritization than was the human uniqueness dimension, which refers to attributes that separate humans from non-human animals. Alternative explanations based on affect and self-esteem were ruled out. These results suggest that the prioritization of money is at odds with our perceptions of human nature.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruttan, Rachel L. & Lucas, Brian J., 2018. "Cogs in the machine: The prioritization of money and self-dehumanization," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 47-58.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:149:y:2018:i:c:p:47-58
    DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2018.08.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Michaela Hausdorf, 2024. "What You Get Is What You See—The Mutual Relationships between Images of Human Nature and Business Model Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Iván Suazo & María del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes & María del Mar Molero Jurado & África Martos Martínez & María del Mar Simón Márquez & Ana Belén Barragán Martín & Maria Sisto & José Jesús Gázquez Linares, 2020. "Moral Sensitivity, Empathy and Prosocial Behavior: Implications for Humanization of Nursing Care," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-14, November.

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