The present study aims at expanding research on dehumanization in the work domain by exploring laypeople's dehumanizing perceptions towards stigmatized workers. Starting from Hughes’ (1951, Social psychology at the crossroads, Harper & Brothers, New York; Ashforth & Kreiner, 1999, Academy of Management Review, 24, 413) concept of ‘dirty work’, the present research aims to demonstrate that the different types of occupational taint elicit distinct dehumanizing images of certain occupational groups. Employing a cluster analysis, the results showed that workers in the physical taint cluster were most strongly associated with biological metaphors, workers in the social taint cluster were perceived as most similar to objects, and workers in the moral taint cluster were perceived as most similar to animals. The theoretical and practical implications are considered.

Valtorta, R., Baldissarri, C., Andrighetto, L., Volpato, C. (2019). Dirty jobs and dehumanization of workers. BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, 58(4), 955-970 [10.1111/bjso.12315].

Dirty jobs and dehumanization of workers

Valtorta, RR
;
Baldissarri, C;Andrighetto, L;Volpato, C
2019

Abstract

The present study aims at expanding research on dehumanization in the work domain by exploring laypeople's dehumanizing perceptions towards stigmatized workers. Starting from Hughes’ (1951, Social psychology at the crossroads, Harper & Brothers, New York; Ashforth & Kreiner, 1999, Academy of Management Review, 24, 413) concept of ‘dirty work’, the present research aims to demonstrate that the different types of occupational taint elicit distinct dehumanizing images of certain occupational groups. Employing a cluster analysis, the results showed that workers in the physical taint cluster were most strongly associated with biological metaphors, workers in the social taint cluster were perceived as most similar to objects, and workers in the moral taint cluster were perceived as most similar to animals. The theoretical and practical implications are considered.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
cluster analysis; dehumanization; dirty workers; occupational taint;
dehumanization; dirty workers; occupational taint; cluster analysis
English
1-feb-2019
2019
58
4
955
970
none
Valtorta, R., Baldissarri, C., Andrighetto, L., Volpato, C. (2019). Dirty jobs and dehumanization of workers. BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, 58(4), 955-970 [10.1111/bjso.12315].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/226831
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