Investigating the Impact of Dehumanising Language on Implicit Biases Towards Immigrants

Hood, Carl (2023) Investigating the Impact of Dehumanising Language on Implicit Biases Towards Immigrants. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

From the basis of social identity theory, the current research aimed to develop the current knowledge around intergroup bias. Introducing Relational Frame Theory into the domain, it sought to examine the impact of dehumanising language on implicit bias towards immigrant populations. Using an experimental design, the research offered differing prose to groups, and assessed their implicit association scores using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure. The results offered a deeper understanding of the subject of dehumanising bias than previous research, giving some insight into the strength of effect caused by language. The current study demonstrated that the language used to describe the actions of immigrants, produced significant implicit scores more-so when referring to immigrant, than Irish populations, as well as showing no correlation between implicit and explicit scores. The results suggested that the language we read may significantly impact implicit bias, even when explicit attitudes disagree. The implications of this study highlight the societal risks to immigrant populations, and the potential benefits of more stringent rules around communication regarding immigrants. The current study opens the door to an array of opportunities for further research.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Supervisors:	Name Email Farrell, Lynn UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare > Discrimination H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races > Immigrant Communities P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics > Semiotics > Language. Linguistic theory
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Tamara Malone
Date Deposited:	01 Jun 2023 11:55
Last Modified:	01 Jun 2023 11:55
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/6703

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