Self-dehumanization differences in perception of social class: The mediating role of authenticity

Abstract

Lower social class is associated with many negative influences in diverse domains (e.g., health, cognition, and emotion). Given these circumstances, lower class individuals may attribute less humanness to themselves. Across three studies (N = 560), including one pre-registered study, we examined whether and how lower subjective social class (SSC) would lead to more self-dehumanization. Results revealed that SSC was negatively associated with self-dehumanization, and authenticity could mediate the relationship (Study 1). Even the experience of lower (vs. upper) SSC results in self-dehumanization via impaired authenticity (Study 2). Finally, we provide additional a causal link between authenticity and self-dehumanization by manipulating authenticity (Study 3). Therefore, these findings confirmed that lower SSC individuals would attribute less humanness to themselves through less authenticity. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychological processes shaped by social stratification.