Identifying Population Groups Based on Humanity Attribution to Low-, Middle- and High-Socioeconomic Status Groups: A Multilevel Latent Profile Analysis

Abstract

Despite growing research on (de)humanisation in the socioeconomic domain, the extent and diversity of these tendencies within the population remain unclear. This study used a representative sample of Spaniards (N = 1478) to examine the existence and prevalence of distinct dehumaniser profiles at both the individual (Level 1) and societal (Level 2) levels. We conducted a multilevel latent profile analysis using humanity attribution scores for low-, middle- and high-SES groups. At the individual level, five profiles emerged: high- (12%), middle- (27%) and low- (41%) generalised humanisers, high-SES dehumanisers (6%) and hierarchy legitimisers (13%). At the societal level, we identified three profiles: assimilators (52%), indifferents (7%) and unsettled (41%). Adherence to these profiles appeared to be influenced by participants' socioeconomic backgrounds or system justification and meritocracy, with profiles differing in their demand for social change. We discuss the applied relevance of mapping dehumanisation tendencies on the design of targeted interventions.