Research on dehumanisation has typically examined the factors that lead individuals to dehumanise others. This dissertation is significant in that it is among the first attempts to empirically investigate dehumanisation from the perspective of the dehumanised individual. Chapter 1 reviewed the literature and discussed the importance of investigating dehumanisation from the perspective of the victim. Chapter 2 explored the range of experiences people view as dehumanising. A qualitative study using recalled dehumanising episodes investigated who respondents identified as the perpetrator and their emotional reactions to dehumanisation. The results of Study 1 showed that dehumanisation occurs on a continuum ranging from extreme cases of ongoing abuse to single instances of light ridicule. Further, dehumanisation was more likely to occur within the context of the victim's social network rather than with outgroup members or socially distant others. Emotional reactions to dehumanisation commonly involved intense feelings of shame, anger and sadness. Social exclusion was found to be a dehumanising experience in Chapter 2. Using a quasi-experimental design, the study in Chapter 3 investigated whether experiences of animalistic and mechanistic dehumanisation negatively impact the fundamental needs including belonging, control, self-esteem and meaningful existence. The findings revealed that experiences of animalistic dehumanisation are just as likely as exclusion to threaten the fundamental needs. Whereas, experiences of mechanistic dehumanisation are less likely to threaten one's sense of self-esteem and belonging compared to being excluded.