power corrupts our ability to see others as human beings

The paper itself is gated, but here is the abstract:

The current paper shows that the experience or possession of power increases dehumanization - the process of denying essential elements of "humanness" in other people and perceiving them as objects or animals. A position of power entails making difficult decisions for other people that may cause pain and suffering. Dehumanization helps to downplay this pain and suffering and thus to justify these decisions. Study 1 shows that powerful people dehumanize an outgroup more. Study 2 replicates that powerful people dehumanize an outgroup more and shows that this is especially likely after making a tough decision that is painful for that outgroup. Study 3 replicates this in a medical context. Together, these studies show that dehumanization - although by itself a very negative phenomenon - can also have functional elements: it helps powerful people to make tough decisions in a more distant, cold, and rational manner.

Comments

[ejoch]

The point about 'functional elements' is a good one. Whenever a leader (political or military) makes a decision that involves casualties, there's always an amount of "how could they do that?" from observers- the implication being, a 'normal' person would be horrified by the very idea of being responsible. But that's the whole point- you don't want the person in command to be ordinary in that regard- you want them to be able to detach, to a certain extent, and see the big picture. I couldn't do it but I'm glad there are people who can.

[Ian Leslie]

Yes, well said.

[Lyle]

Then there are the people, such as the junta running Burma, who detach too thoroughly, see their citizens only as 'objects or animals', and then use their power only to benefit themselves, to the detriment of the 'objects or animals' at their mercy.