Nour Kteily, Ph.D., Professor of Management & Organizations, Northwestern University

who will speak at the James Sidanius Lecture on Social Inequality

Topic: “Darker Demons of our Nature: The Prevalence and Potency of Blatant Forms of Dehumanization”

Abstract: "Although dehumanization research first emerged following the overt and conscious denials of humanity present during war and genocide, modern dehumanization research largely examines more subtle and implicit forms of dehumanization in more everyday settings. I argue for the need to re-orient the research agenda towards understanding when and why individuals blatantly dehumanize others. I review recent research in a range of contexts suggesting that blatant dehumanization is surprisingly prevalent and potent, uniquely predicting aggressive intergroup attitudes and behavior beyond subtle forms of dehumanization and outgroup dislike, and promoting vicious cycles of conflict. I also discuss recent intervention efforts aimed at reducing blatant dehumanization and improving intergroup relations."

Nour Kteily specializes in teaching negotiation, conflict resolution, and decision-making. His research uses the tools of social psychology to investigate how and why conflict emerges between groups in society, and how to equitably resolve it. He considers the role of power and status differences between groups, investigating how inequality and social hierarchy exacerbate conflict. His work spans conflict between racial and ethnic groups, conflict between political parties and ideological opponents, and international conflicts such as the conflict in the Middle East.  Kteily has received the SAGE Young Scholar Award from the Foundation for Personality and Social Psychology, the James Sidanius Early Career Award from the International Society for Political Psychology, and the Janet Taylor Spence Award for Transformative Early Career Contributions from the Association for Psychological Science. He also received the Gordon Allport Prize in Intergroup Relations from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues and the Roberta Sigel Early Career Scholar Paper Award (twice) from the International Society of Political Psychology.

Professor Kteily received his B.Sc. with First Class Honors from McGill University and his PhD in social psychology from Harvard University.