The ontologization of Romani: An Italian study on thecross-categorization approach

This research aims to study the ontologization process of the Romani minority in Abruzzoregion (Italy), characterized by the longstanding presence of a group of sedentary Romani,and to test the cross-categorization approach using a specific dependent measure such asthe ontologization of the Italian Romani target. A questionnaire was administered to 475Italian participants, in which the respondents were asked to attribute 6 human positive, 6human negative, 6 animal positive and 6 animal negative associates to three targets: Italians(ingroup), Italian Romani (ingroup–outgroup) and Romani (outgroup). Participants showedevidence that they used human/animal associates differently for the ingroup and for theoutgroup members. Romani groups were ascribed more animal than human characteristics,while Italians were described as more human than the Romani and Italian Romani group,showing the ontologization process of the Romani minority and the superhumanizationof the Italian ingroup. Moreover, the cross-categorized Italian Romani target was the mostdiscriminated against in that it was attributed more animal negative associates than theRomani and Italian ones. Since modern racism could take the form of the denial of thehumanness and the attribution of animality to outgroup members, our data emphasize theimportance of taking account of the persistence of negative attitudes so deep-rooted asthose felt towards the Romani.