The pathogen paradox: Evidence that perceived COVID-19 threat is associated with both pro- and anti-immigrant attitudes

Abstract

<p>COVID-19 pandemic, as a global threat to humanity, is likely to instigate a variety of collective responses in the society. We examined, for the first time, whether COVID-19 threat perception is related to attitudes towards Syrian immigrants in Turkey, theorizing a dual pathway whereby threat caused by the COVID-19 pandemic would relate to both pro- and anti-immigrant feelings. While drawing upon behavioral immune system theory, we expected that pathogen threat would lead to more exclusionary attitudes; relying on the common ingroup identity model, we predicted that pathogen threat would promote inclusionary attitudes through creating a common ingroup in the face of a global threat. Results from two studies using online search volume data at the province-level (N = 81) and self-report measures at the individual level (N = 294) demonstrated that perceived COVID-19 threat was directly associated with more positive attitudes towards immigrants (Study 1 and 2). Study 2 further revealed indirect positive (through a sense of common identity) and negative (through perceptions of immigrant threat) links between COVID-19 threat perception and attitudes towards immigrants. These results highlight the importance of integrating evolutionary and social identity perspectives when assessing pathogen-related threats. We draw attention to managing the public perceptions of COVID-19 threat which may mitigate the social aftermath of the pandemic.</p>

National identification, a social cure for COVID-19? Evidence from 67 countries

“…There is also evidence that a sense of belonging to a common ingroup fosters more positive attitudes and intentions towards minority group members (e.g. Syrian refugees in Turkey; see Adam-Troian & Bagci, 2020). On top of these beneficial aspects, our results support the idea that official communications (through political speeches or in public health messaging) emphasizing citizen’s national identity may also increase – or slow the decrease in – population wellbeing during a pandemic.…”

Examining Complex Intergroup Relations

“…Turks also usually report unfavorable attitudes towards Kurds and anti-Kurdish discourse is prevalent in the society (Dixon & Ergin, 2010). For example, in data collected in 2020, attitudes towards Kurds were more negative than various other groups such as Christians, homeless, and the LGBTI (Troian & Bagci, 2020). Therefore, the Turkish-Kurdish context provides an intriguing milieu for the investigation of intergroup contact among both majority and minority group members, allowing us to explore the role of multiple types of direct and indirect contact experiences, in relation to a diverse range of intergroup, collective, and individual outcomes.…”