COVID-19 restrictions and sense of humanness: The role of human needs threat

Journal article

Cristina Baldissarri, Giuseppe Raguso, Roberta Rosa Valtorta, Luca Andrighetto, Chiara Volpato
International Journal of Social Psychology, vol. 40, 2024, pp. 19-45

DOI: 10.1177/02134748241296691

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APA Click to copy
Baldissarri, C., Raguso, G., Valtorta, R. R., Andrighetto, L., & Volpato, C. (2024). COVID-19 restrictions and sense of humanness: The role of human needs threat. International Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 19–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/02134748241296691

Chicago/Turabian Click to copy
Baldissarri, Cristina, Giuseppe Raguso, Roberta Rosa Valtorta, Luca Andrighetto, and Chiara Volpato. “COVID-19 Restrictions and Sense of Humanness: The Role of Human Needs Threat.” International Journal of Social Psychology 40 (2024): 19–45.

MLA Click to copy
Baldissarri, Cristina, et al. “COVID-19 Restrictions and Sense of Humanness: The Role of Human Needs Threat.” International Journal of Social Psychology, vol. 40, 2024, pp. 19–45, doi:10.1177/02134748241296691.

BibTeX Click to copy

@article{cristina2024a,
  title = {COVID-19 restrictions and sense of humanness: The role of human needs threat},
  year = {2024},
  journal = {International Journal of Social Psychology},
  pages = {19-45},
  volume = {40},
  doi = {10.1177/02134748241296691},
  author = {Baldissarri, Cristina and Raguso, Giuseppe and Valtorta, Roberta Rosa and Andrighetto, Luca and Volpato, Chiara}
}

Abstract

The present study analyses the effects of COVID-19 restrictions on self-perception of humanness through the increased sense of threat to fundamental human needs. Furthermore, in an explorative way, we analysed the possible impact of this pattern on the identification with all humanity, in terms of bond with humanity and concern for all humanity. Through a preregistered experimental study (N = 278), we showed that participants who were asked to recall COVID-19-related restrictions reported a greater sense of human needs threat and, in turn, higher levels of self-dehumanization. In addition, we found that remembering restrictions, compared to the control group, led to lower concern for humanity and indirectly affected it via increased threat of human needs and self-dehumanization.