Groups with low-entitativity in cyberhate research: bystanders’ cognitive and affective assessments of cyberhate
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Attached files | |
| Description | New media and information communication technologies (ICT) have transformed human interactions and media consumption, yet they also reflect the biases and hostilities prevalent in offline environments, including hate and aggression. Cyberhate, characterised by online hate speech targeting specific groups, has garnered increasing attention due to its potential to reinforce and normalise societal prejudices. While much research on cyberhate focuses on groups defined by race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, less attention has been given to hate targeting individuals perceived as lower in entitativity, such as those who are plus-size or have mental and developmental disorders. This chapter examines how intergroup bias informs the perception and behaviour toward these less clearly defined groups in online spaces. Drawing on the concepts of essence-based entitativity and intergroup bias, the discussion explores how stereotypes and prejudices contribute to the marginalisation of these groups, particularly in cyber environments where contextual cues are diminished. Although such groups may elicit less overt hostility than more homogenous entities, societal biases against them persist, manifesting in body shaming and mental health stigma. Moreover, bystanders play a crucial role in cyberhate dynamics, as exposure to hateful content may influence their attitudes and actions, leading to desensitisation and normalisation of bias. This chapter highlights the importance of expanding cyberhate definitions to include groups stigmatised by weight and mental health characteristics, emphasising the interplay between intergroup bias, cognitive and affective processes, and bystander reactions. Such an approach is essential for advancing research and fostering a more inclusive understanding of cyberhate, ultimately contributing to strategies that mitigate its impact on diverse populations. |
| Related projects: |