No, Face Masks Aren’t Dehumanizing
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-2023
Abstract
Wearing facial coverings has become a key element in the fight against COVID-19. However, deep partisan divisions have arisen over the adoption of face masks, with Democrats more supportive than Republicans in the United States. Among opponents, a common argument is that facial coverings serve to dehumanize the wearer. Using an experimental study, I find no evidence, using a nationally diverse US sample, that face masks are dehumanizing, whether worn by a White or Black person. In addition, I test for moderation by partisanship, which shows a lack of dehumanizing effects and provides some suggestive evidence that face masks can humanize the wearer, for Democrats, though these effects are small. Under no circumstances do I find evidence that face masks dehumanize the wearer, even among Republican respondents.
Publication Information
Utych, Stephen M.. (2023). "No, Face Masks Aren’t Dehumanizing". Political Studies Review, 19(3), 528-535. https://doi.org/10.1177/1478929921993764