The effect of morally framed messages on the attitudes ofthe local community toward Syrian refugees in Türkiye

This thesis investigates the relationship between moral dimensions and attitudes towards Syrian refugees in Türkiye. To explain this relationship, two studies were conducted, one correlational and the other experimental. The first study examined which moral dimensions from the Moral Foundation Theory (MFT) and Morality as Cooperation (MAC) theories were associated with negative attitudes toward Syrian refugees. 102 participants participated in the first study voluntarily. The result of the first study revealed that the dimensions of care/harm, fairness, sanctity/degradation, and loyalty/betrayal were related to negative attitudes towards Syrian refugees. The care/harm and fairness dimensions had a mitigating effect on negative attitudes, while the sanctity/degradation and loyalty/betrayal dimensions had a reinforcing effect on negative attitudes. Based on the findings of the first study, the second study focused on the impact of morally framed message content son attitudes towards Syrian refugees in Türkiye. Three message content groups were created: care/harm and fairness, sanctity/degradation and loyalty/betrayal, and a control group. 670 university students participated in the research in return for bonus points. Participants in the sanctity/degradation and loyalty/betrayal groups had more negative attitudes towards Syrian refugees, whereas those in the care/harm and fairness group had less negative attitudes. The attitudes of the control group fell between the other two groups. This study approaches attitudes toward Syrian refugees in Türkiye from the perspective of morality and provides insights for non-governmental organizations, policymakers, public institutions, media, and academic researchers working in the migration field.