More than half of car drivers think cyclists\nare not completely human, according to the findings of a new study by\nresearchers at Monash University, QUT\u2019s Centre for Accident Research & Road\nSafety \u2013 Queensland (CARRS-Q) and Professor Nick Haslam at the University of\nMelbourne\u2019s School of Psychological Sciences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the first time a study has look at\na road-user group with the problem of dehumanisation, which is typically\nstudied in relation to attitudes towards racial or ethnic groups. Researchers\nsay that, if drivers can put a human face to cyclists, this could reduce\naggression directed at cyclists and road trauma involving riders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen you don\u2019t think someone is \u2018fully\u2019\nhuman, it\u2019s easier to justify hatred or aggression towards them. This can set\nup an escalating cycle of resentment,\u201d said Lead Author Dr Alexa Delbosc<\/a>, Senior Lecturer in the Institute\nof Transport Studies (Department of Civil Engineering) at Monash University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf cyclists feel dehumanised by other road\nusers, they may be more likely to act out against motorists, feeding into a\nself-fulfilling prophecy that further fuels dehumanisation against them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUltimately we want to understand this\nprocess so we can do a better job at putting a human face to people who ride\nbikes, so that hopefully we can help put a stop to the abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n