Humanizing the Transgressor, Dehumanizing the Victim: The Asymmetric Effects of Transgressors’ Good Intentions in Immoral Behaviour

ABSTRACT Dehumanization is a potential consequence of moral judgments that may influence how people perceive and relate to those involved in a moral transgression. We propose that a transgressor's intentions shape perceptions of both transgressors’ and victims’ humanness. In Study 1 ( n = 315), we examined the dehumanization of the transgressor while manipulating their intentions (good vs. bad) and the consequences of their actions. In Study 2 ( n = 341), we focused on the dehumanization of the victim, and we manipulated the transgressor's intentions and transgressor–bystander closeness. Intentions significantly influenced humanness attributions in both cases. Transgressors with good intentions were less dehumanized than those with bad intentions, regardless of consequences. Moreover, having good intentions increased the dehumanization of the victim, independently of closeness. These effects were serially mediated by the greater likability and the attribution of a positive moral character to the transgressor. Our findings have implications for understanding social conflict, justice, and interpersonal evaluations.