Mario Sainz
Papers
1
Total Citations
54
H-Index
1
About
Mario Sainz investigates the psychological underpinnings of social inequality, focusing on how socio-economic status shapes perceptions of humanity. His major contributions center on dehumanization processes, revealing that low-status groups are often “animalized”—seen as less evolved and more instinct-driven—while high-status groups are “mechanized”—perceived as cold, rigid, and lacking emotional depth. His landmark 2018 study, “Animalizing the disadvantaged, mechanizing the wealthy,” has garnered 54 citations and demonstrates how these dual forms of dehumanization reinforce societal hierarchies. By experimentally manipulating SES, Sainz showed that both upward and downward biases stem from the same psychological mechanism: the denial of full humanity to outgroups. His work bridges social cognition and inequality research, offering a nuanced framework for understanding prejudice beyond simple ingroup favoritism. With growing impact in social psychology, Sainz’s findings have implications for interventions aimed at reducing class-based discrimination and fostering more humane intergroup relations.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1