The effect of perception toward Syrian refugees on helping Syrian refugees

In this study, the behavior of helping to Syrian refugees was investigated. Due to the observation of change in attitudes against Syrian refugees in Turkey, research question of "which variables predict helping to Syrian refugees?" was investigated. In this respect, prediction of helping by perceived threat, perceived humanness, in group identification (identification with Turkey, Turkish people and Muslims), age and political orientation were investigated by a correlational research design. A total of 171 people from different cities participated in the study. Regarding gender, 98 (57%) of the participants were women, and 83 (43%) of them were men. The age of the participants ranged from 17 to 61 years and the mean age was 28 years old (SD = 8.05). Scales were distributed through social media and the data were collected online. According to the results, the participants who help Syrian refugees in the past indicate willingness to help in the future. Helping regufees in the past was predicted only by the perceived threat. The willingness to help regugees in the future was predicted by perceived threat as well as perceived humanness, and age of the participants. Contrary to our hypotheses, ingroup identification and political orientation did not predict neither helping in the past nor the willingness to help in the future. The findings have discussed in relation to the literature.