October 2006 PMID 17100784

Dehumanizing the lowest of the low: neuroimaging responses to extreme out-groups.

Lasana T Harris, Susan T Fiske

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Mentions

86
Peak: 12 in Feb 2021
across 5 sources since Feb 2021

Extended reach

147,951
potential audience

Total likes

1,428

Video views

79,335

Mentions per month

Feb 2021 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter44 posts
  • News22 articles
  • Blogs16 articles
  • Bluesky2 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone reflects strong agreement with the research's implications, as seen in posts sharing educational videos and studies, exemplified by phrases like 'extremely useful lecture' and 'brain signature around the Medio-lateral (mPFC)'. The use of words like 'disgust', 'dehumanize', and references to brain areas underscore the serious, impactful nature of the discussion, indicating recognition of the study's importance in understanding prejudice and societal behavior.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the findings, emphasizing the neural basis of dehumanization and its effects on social perceptions.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate a high interest in understanding the psychology behind dehumanization, referencing research and educational content.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several comments delve into explanations of brain mechanisms, sharing links, and reflecting on societal implications, indicating moderate depth of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

Conversations suggest the article’s significance in highlighting societal issues, with some references to the potential for recognizing and addressing dehumanization in real-world situations.

Abstract in brief

  • The study explores how prejudice, particularly against extreme outgroups like addicts and the homeless, involves dehumanization, as shown through brain activity patterns.
  • Using fMRI, researchers found that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which is crucial for social understanding, activates when viewing most social groups, but not when viewing extreme outgroups that are both seen as hostile and incompetent, indicating dehumanization.
  • The activation of emotion-related brain areas like the insula and amygdala, rather than the mPFC, when viewing these outgroups suggests these groups are perceived with disgust, supporting the idea that extreme outgroups are dehumanized in the brain.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Andy Luttrell
@AndyLuttrell5 · X

Just posted a new video on the psychology of dehumanization. Features some historical context, how psychologists have measured and understood dehumanization, and how it relates to prejudice and other issues. Watch and share with peers and students! https://t.co/wleneD7ddx

Feb 4, 2021 · 31 likes · 10 shares · 5,069 followers View post →
Tawasi Soce *long hair don't care*
@TawasiSoce · X

It's been more than a decade since it was discovered that unhoused people aren't even seen as human beings by some in society. For those unfamiliar with genocide, first you have to show the people how the "others" aren't worthy of basic humanity. https://t.co/KlAXSClD2C

Oct 17, 2021 · 4 likes · 1 share · 4,600 followers View post →
Sabine Schiffer
@IMVErlangen · X

How Dehumanization works… Listen! https://t.co/42f84jI70y

Feb 12, 2025 · 3 likes · 1 share · 4,122 followers View post →
foosball
@bucket__dump · X

Harris, L. T., & Fiske, S. T. (2006). Dehumanizing the lowest of the low: Neuroimaging responses to extreme out-groups. Psychological Science, 17(10), 847-853.

Dec 12, 2022 · 2 likes · 59 followers View post →
Ilze
@ilzelei.bsky.social · Bluesky

Atstāšu šo sev, bet varbūt vēl kādam interesē: Dehumanizing the Lowest of the Low, Neuroimaging Responses to Extreme Out-Groups, Lasana T. Harris and Susan T. Fiske

Jul 28, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share View post →
Andy Luttrell
@AndyLuttrell5 · X

Favorite content from the year includes this video on the psychology of dehumanization... https://t.co/wleneD7ddx

Dec 14, 2021 · 1 like · 5,069 followers View post →

All mentions

Chuckanutter
@speciatedtwit.bsky.social · Bluesky

Neuroscientists have studied the brains of people and how they react to different situations/people. Most people have zero empathic response when viewing the poor and homeless. The "out of control crime" is simply for these groups to exist in plain sight. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17100784/

Aug 21, 2025 · 1 like View post →
Ilze
@ilzelei.bsky.social · Bluesky

Atstāšu šo sev, bet varbūt vēl kādam interesē: Dehumanizing the Lowest of the Low, Neuroimaging Responses to Extreme Out-Groups, Lasana T. Harris and Susan T. Fiske

Jul 28, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share View post →
Sabine Schiffer
@IMVErlangen · X

RT @IMVErlangen: How Dehumanization works… Listen! https://t.co/42f84jI70y

Feb 12, 2025 · 1 share · 4,122 followers View post →
Sabine Schiffer
@IMVErlangen · X

How Dehumanization works… Listen! https://t.co/42f84jI70y

Feb 12, 2025 · 3 likes · 1 share · 4,122 followers View post →
Snarky Justice ✨⚖️
@MadameJustice_ · X

Dehumanizing the Lowest of the Low: Neuroimaging Responses to Extreme Out-Groups https://t.co/48esnJOD0V

Dec 17, 2024 · 967 followers View post →
Laurel L Russwurm
@laurelrusswurm · X

@CoryBMorgan Dehumanization. https://t.co/0daSFORf2X

Dec 9, 2024 · 1 like · 2,146 followers View post →
Enkidomark
@enkidomc · X

@ddale8 https://t.co/AjxQ8sxGoC

Oct 18, 2024 · 129 followers View post →
Bob Choat
@BobChoat · X

The Psychology of Dehumanization https://t.co/DcepVYUSDe via @YouTube

Aug 29, 2024 · 9,258 followers View post →
Jennifer RM
@almostlikethat · X

@Meaningness My understanding (maybe from decades of coordinated fraud (I didn't check carefully)) is that there's a brain signature around the Medio-lateral (mPFC (or sometimes DLPFC) for "seeing a person" that turns off for outgroups, homeless, etc? EG: https://t.co/oW0v0rFOq6

Jul 20, 2024 · 1 like · 1,137 followers View post →
sara
@mango4sara · X

Weekly interesting thing I learned in psychology (I don't know if I will keep up with it weekly but I shall try): if you want to ask any questions or clarifactions I am very happy to respond. https://t.co/8XRJliG3Bm

Jun 6, 2024 · 1,075 followers View post →
Daniel Hawk
@BlackHawk2275 · X

https://t.co/pn3YRRmcJj Let GOD know my Dehumanization program forced upon me by my Catholic parents has been a resounding success. https://t.co/u8pjmWo9pH Time to spread the Mass Psychosis to everyone so they will all be Dead by Dawn.

May 28, 2024 · 30 followers View post →
Era
@Era96647773 · X

The Psychology of Dehumanization https://t.co/t8VHJt55oV via @YouTube

Mar 27, 2024 · 752 followers View post →
Bundschuh
@Bundsch90207916 · X

@SteeeevnJaaaams @IranObserver0 https://t.co/7Df3nGzFF1

Mar 16, 2024 · 147 followers View post →
Cllr Nooria Sayani
@NooriaSayani · X

The Psychology of Dehumanization https://t.co/ADqQJwV7IH via @YouTube

Mar 3, 2024 · 38 followers View post →
adel maatouk
@adelmaatouk1972 · X

https://t.co/4VvbWGL5Md

Nov 21, 2023 · 25 followers View post →
Simone
@Simone26617418 · X

RT @psychologynudge: @kittyherweijer https://t.co/waUg0BbU3M

Oct 26, 2023 · 1 share · 419 followers View post →
Psychology/philosophy
@psychologynudge · X

@kittyherweijer https://t.co/waUg0BbU3M

Oct 26, 2023 · 1 share · 396 followers View post →
Jan Mrkvička
@janmrkvicka · X

@DanielHule To, co ti lidé dělají, je odporné a možná ze jedná o trestný čin, ale zcela jistě to není terorizmus a nejsou to zvířata. Tohle prohlášení naplňuje definici dehumanizace https://t.co/1or37rg5fs

Oct 16, 2023 · 634 followers View post →
Psychology/philosophy
@psychologynudge · X

https://t.co/GJx6bGhfLI

Oct 14, 2023 · 396 followers View post →
Audrey
@Audrey_A3043 · X

RT @TarigElbasha: The Psychology of Dehumanization https://t.co/xYh1CgyD70 via @YouTube extremely useful lecture to watch in my point of…

Aug 30, 2023 · 1 share · 26 followers View post →
Psychology/philosophy
@psychologynudge · X

@TarikToros https://t.co/zeO3Gsgrnw

Jun 22, 2023 · 396 followers View post →
foosball
@bucket__dump · X

Harris, L. T., & Fiske, S. T. (2006). Dehumanizing the lowest of the low: Neuroimaging responses to extreme out-groups. Psychological Science, 17(10), 847-853.

Dec 12, 2022 · 2 likes · 59 followers View post →
JohnRoman
@johnmanole07 · X

@wayotworld https://t.co/Y76dptyL1i You people are just disgusting. If you want to he angry be angry at your imaginary globalist...oh wait the globalist for you are every single Jewish person in existence...if you think about it Jesus is the most successful globalist.

Sep 30, 2022 · 15 followers View post →
Jim Bloom
@jimmyroybloom · X

RT @jimmyroybloom: https://t.co/PHBkc75rCT

Aug 14, 2022 · 1 share · 2,435 followers View post →
Jim Bloom
@jimmyroybloom · X

https://t.co/PHBkc75rCT

Aug 14, 2022 · 1 share · 2,435 followers View post →
ThoughtCriminal
@Juan_Cool_Arrow · X

@TheOges @jonstewart I'll just leave this right here: https://t.co/fBZIRJJG9S

Jul 30, 2022 · 541 followers View post →
Yeganeh.M
@joenlord · X

لرد آکتون:قدرت فاسد می‌کند و قدرت مطلق،مطلقا. _the power paradox: how we gain and lose influence. & _Dehumanizing the Lowest of the Low: Neuroimaging Responses to Extreme Out-Groups. سر افراد رو بزاریم زیر دستگاهMRI و از نظر کارکردی و فانکشن ها این موضوع رو بررسی کنیم.

Jul 7, 2022 · 1 like · 14 followers View post →
*Poverty Is Not A Moral Failing*
@luke_sumner · X

A study: https://t.co/oU9lU6H0EU

May 4, 2022 · 1,057 followers View post →
KatWhitman
@Mile_by_Mile · X

https://t.co/lAY6krNJgA

Feb 2, 2022 · 4,211 followers View post →
Tārįg Ēlbāsha (المنتمي)
@TarigElbasha · X

The Psychology of Dehumanization https://t.co/xYh1CgyD70 via @YouTube extremely useful lecture to watch in my point of view.

Jan 6, 2022 · 1 share · 146 followers View post →
Andy Luttrell
@AndyLuttrell5 · X

Favorite content from the year includes this video on the psychology of dehumanization... https://t.co/wleneD7ddx

Dec 14, 2021 · 1 like · 5,069 followers View post →
Andy Luttrell
@AndyLuttrell5 · X

And here's the video on dehumanization they referred to if you're interested. Still very pleased with how this one came out. https://t.co/JQhuK1wC3v

Nov 27, 2021 · 5,069 followers View post →
Julian Domain
@DomainJulian · X

RT @TawasiSoce: It's been more than a decade since it was discovered that unhoused people aren't even seen as human beings by some in socie…

Oct 17, 2021 · 1 share · 1,759 followers View post →
Tawasi Soce *long hair don't care*
@TawasiSoce · X

It's been more than a decade since it was discovered that unhoused people aren't even seen as human beings by some in society. For those unfamiliar with genocide, first you have to show the people how the "others" aren't worthy of basic humanity. https://t.co/KlAXSClD2C

Oct 17, 2021 · 4 likes · 1 share · 4,600 followers View post →
Dr. Marc Ross (PhD. Ed.)
@Marc_W_Ross · X

The Psychology of Dehumanization https://t.co/H3RyTt2U1B via @YouTube

Mar 20, 2021 · 260 followers View post →
WorldWork Ltd
@worldworkltd · X

People have an amazing capacity to see their fellow human beings as...not human. This has huge implications for how we treat the "outgroups". https://t.co/y8iCG1r8vy

Feb 5, 2021 · 442 followers View post →
Dr Katharina Addington-Lefringhausen
@Dr_KLef · X

RT @AndyLuttrell5: Just posted a new video on the psychology of dehumanization. Features some historical context, how psychologists have me…

Feb 5, 2021 · 10 shares · 591 followers View post →
Prejuicio y Cambio Social
@LabPrejuicio · X

RT @AndyLuttrell5: Just posted a new video on the psychology of dehumanization. Features some historical context, how psychologists have me…

Feb 5, 2021 · 10 shares · 1,210 followers View post →
Marco Brambilla
@MarcoBicocca · X

RT @AndyLuttrell5: Just posted a new video on the psychology of dehumanization. Features some historical context, how psychologists have me…

Feb 5, 2021 · 10 shares · 434 followers View post →
Jason Deska
@jasondeska · X

RT @AndyLuttrell5: Just posted a new video on the psychology of dehumanization. Features some historical context, how psychologists have me…

Feb 4, 2021 · 10 shares · 549 followers View post →
Alissa Moen
@Alissa_Moen · X

RT @AndyLuttrell5: Just posted a new video on the psychology of dehumanization. Features some historical context, how psychologists have me…

Feb 4, 2021 · 10 shares · 2,162 followers View post →
Mario Sainz Martínez
@SainzMartinezM · X

RT @AndyLuttrell5: Just posted a new video on the psychology of dehumanization. Features some historical context, how psychologists have me…

Feb 4, 2021 · 10 shares · 594 followers View post →
SHARKLab_Kent
@SHARKLab_Kent · X

RT @AndyLuttrell5: Just posted a new video on the psychology of dehumanization. Features some historical context, how psychologists have me…

Feb 4, 2021 · 10 shares · 509 followers View post →
PolPsych_Kent
@PolPsychKent · X

RT @AndyLuttrell5: Just posted a new video on the psychology of dehumanization. Features some historical context, how psychologists have me…

Feb 4, 2021 · 10 shares · 2,051 followers View post →
Opinion Science (a podcast)
@OpinionSciPod · X

RT @AndyLuttrell5: Just posted a new video on the psychology of dehumanization. Features some historical context, how psychologists have me…

Feb 4, 2021 · 10 shares · 898 followers View post →
Andy Luttrell
@AndyLuttrell5 · X

Just posted a new video on the psychology of dehumanization. Features some historical context, how psychologists have measured and understood dehumanization, and how it relates to prejudice and other issues. Watch and share with peers and students! https://t.co/wleneD7ddx

Feb 4, 2021 · 31 likes · 10 shares · 5,069 followers View post →