Prejudice and Discrimination during COVID-19 Pandemic

Year 2021, , 2694 - 2716, 30.09.2021

Deniz Eniç

https://doi.org/10.15869/itobiad.933544

Cited By: 2

Abstract

The causes and consequences of discriminatory attitudes and behaviors are among the main research topics that social psychologists have been focusing for years. Theoretical approaches and studies conducted in this field examine the nature of prejudice and seek answers to the questions why discriminatory attitudes have increased and how they can be reduced. In the literature, it is seen that prejudices directed to disadvantaged groups increase in the times of global stress and uncertainty like economic crisis, natural disaster and pandemic. Nowadays, the COVID-19, which significantly shapes the daily life practices of individuals, also affects intergroup relations. With this outbreak prejudiced intergroup attitudes and behaviors have increased, and various groups such as people of Asian descent and elderly have become the target of prejudices. The main aims of this study are examining why prejudices strengthen during the COVID-19 from a social psychological perspective and offering suggestions for weakening them. In this research, firstly, the definition and nature of prejudice were given, and then the relationship between pandemic and prejudice was examined. Therefore, the pattern of discriminatory attitudes targeting disadvantaged groups was revealed in the COVID-19. The reasons why prejudices increased in times of global crisis were examined in terms of Terror Management Theory, Integrated Threat Theory and Social Identity Theory, and it was discussed what solutions these approaches could offer for reducing prejudices. Consequently, in order to reduce the increasing threat, uncertainty and fear, recommendations are listed like strengthening contact between groups, following policies that unite groups under a common group identity, facilitating the access of the society to accurate information about the pandemic, and using a peaceful language in media and leader discourses. This study will contribute to the literature and increase of harmony between groups by providing applicable solutions during epidemic when cooperation is needed instead of conflict.

Keywords

Intergroup Relations, Pandemic, COVID-19, Prejudice, Discrimination

COVID-19 Pandemisinde Önyargı ve Ayrımcılık

Abstract

Gruplar arasındaki ayrımcı tutum ve davranışların neden ve sonuçları, sosyal psikologların uzun yıllardır üzerinde durduğu araştırma konularının başında gelir. Sosyal psikoloji alanında geliştirilen kuramsal yaklaşımlar ve yürütülen çalışmalar ile önyargının doğası incelenmekte, ayrımcı tutumların neden arttığı ve nasıl azaltılabileceği sorularına yanıt aranmaktadır. Alan yazın incelendiğinde ekonomik kriz, doğal afet ve pandemi gibi toplumsal stres ve belirsizlik dönemlerinin, dezavantajlı grupları hedef alan ayrımcı tutumların arttığı dönemlerden olduğu göze çarpar. Günümüzde bireylerin günlük yaşam pratiklerini önemli ölçüde şekillendiren COVID-19 salgınının, gruplar arasındaki ilişkileri de etkilediği görülmektedir. COVID-19 pandemisi ile birlikte -tıpkı önceki pandemi dönemlerinde olduğu gibi- gruplar arasındaki önyargılı tutum ve davranışların yükselişe geçtiği, Asya kökenli kişiler ve yaşlılar gibi çeşitli grupların önyargıların hedefi haline geldiği ortaya çıkmıştır. Mevcut çalışmanın başat amaçları, COVID-19 pandemisi sürecinde önyargıların neden arttığını sosyal psikolojik bir bakış açısından irdelemek ve önyargıların zayıflatılması konusunda neler yapılabileceğine ilişkin çeşitli öneriler sunmaktır. Bu çalışmada öncelikle önyargının tanımı ve doğasına ilişkin açıklamalara yer verilmiş, ardından pandemi ve önyargı arasındaki ilişki irdelenmiştir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, COVID-19 pandemisinde dezavantajlı grupları hedef alan ayrımcı tutum ve davranışların nasıl bir örüntü sergilediği ortaya konmuştur. Küresel kriz dönemlerinde gruplar arasındaki ayrımcılığın neden arttığı Dehşet Yönetimi Kuramı, Bütünleşik Tehdit Kuramı ve Sosyal Kimlik Kuramı gibi önemli sosyal psikoloji kuramları açısından irdelenmiş ve bahsi geçen bu yaklaşımların pandemi sürecinde yoğunlaşan önyargıların zayıflatılması adına ne gibi çözüm önerileri sunabileceği tartışılmıştır. Bu kapsamda, salgın sürecinde artan tehdit, belirsizlik ve korkunun azaltılması adına gruplar arasında gerçekleşen temas deneyimlerinin arttırılması, farklı grupları ortak bir üst grup kimliği altında birleştirici politikalar izlenmesi, toplumun pandemi süreci ile ilgili doğru bilgiye erişiminin sağlanması, medya ve lider söylemlerinde barışçıl bir dil kullanılması gibi öneriler sıralanmıştır. İşbu çalışmanın, çatışma yerine işbirliğine ihtiyaç duyulan salgın döneminde uygulanabilir çözüm yolları sunarak gruplar arasındaki uyumun arttırılmasına fayda sağlayacağı ve ilgili alanyazına önemli katkılar sunacağı düşünülmektedir.

Keywords

Gruplar Arası İlişkiler, Pandemi, COVID-19, Önyargı, Ayrımcılık

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