Miguel Moya

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About

Miguel Moya is a researcher whose work sits at the intersection of social psychology, intergroup relations, and the study of dehumanization. His scholarship explores how individuals and groups are perceived as less than fully human — a phenomenon with profound implications for social inequality and discrimination. Moya's most influential contribution examines how socioeconomic status shapes dehumanization processes, revealing a striking asymmetry: disadvantaged groups tend to be "animalized" — associated with animal-like traits — while wealthy groups are "mechanized," perceived as cold and machine-like. This nuanced framework, developed across multiple empirical studies, has garnered over 50 citations since its 2018 publication, reflecting its significant impact on the field. Complementing this work, his 2017 Spanish-language review, "Humanos, animales y máquinas," synthesizes the growing literature on dehumanization, making these complex ideas accessible to broader audiences and demonstrating his commitment to scholarly communication across linguistic boundaries. Through rigorous experimental methodology and conceptual innovation, Moya has meaningfully advanced our understanding of how social hierarchies distort the perception of human worth, offering critical insights for researchers, educators, and policymakers concerned with inequality and social justice.