Examining the perceptions of social studiess teacher candidates on the concepts of skill, stereotype and prejudice using the metaphor method

The aim of this research is to determine the perceptions of social studies teacher candidates regarding the concepts of skill, stereotypes and prejudice using the metaphor method. This research, in which the phenomenological pattern, one of the qualitative research methods, was used, was conducted with a total of 145 teacher candidates studying at Fırat University Faculty of Education, Turkish and Social Sciences Education Department, Social Studies Education Department in the 2023-2024 academic year. The data of the research were collected through the metaphor form prepared by the researcher. In metaphor form; "Skill is like……. Because…./ The stereotype is like……. Because…../ Prejudice is like….. Because….." expressions were included. Among the metaphor forms applied to a total of 145 social studies teacher candidates, 22 forms that were not filled out appropriately were excluded from the study. Research data was obtained from the metaphor forms of a total of 123 social studies teacher candidates. According to the findings of the research; A total of 66 different metaphors regarding the concept of skill were produced and these metaphors were repeated 86 times. Teacher candidates mostly explained the concept of "skill" with the metaphor of "gold". Teacher candidates produced a total of 58 different metaphors for the concept of stereotypes and these metaphors were repeated 96 times. Pre-service teachers mostly explained the concept of stereotypes with the metaphor concept of "wall". Teacher candidates produced a total of 68 different metaphors for the concept of prejudice and these metaphors were repeated 90 times. Teacher candidates mostly explained the concept of prejudice with the metaphor of "wall". While teacher candidates stated the concept of skill as being more valuable, they stated the concepts of stereotype and prejudice as containing negativity and being an obstacle. Key Words: Skill, Stereotype, Prejudice, Metaphor, Social Studies Teacher Candidates.