Changing Attitudes About Refugees through Refugee Simulations
Location
Littlefoot A Room 124A
Start Date
21-4-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
21-4-2023 2:15 PM
Publication Date
2023
Disciplines
Arts and Humanities | Law | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
There are over 100 million refugees globally. Because of the September 11 attacks and the wars that followed, western host societies tend to hold negative attitudes toward refugees, such as hostility and mistrust2. These negative attitudes contribute to discrimination against refugees, which impacts them negatively. Improving understanding of the lived experiences of refugees may reduce negative attitudes toward them and promote positive interactions with this cultural group3. One way to develop this understanding is through refugee simulations, as they enable participants to experience parts of the rehoming process.
As such, we conducted a study to 1) investigate the effects of refugee simulations on one’s character growth and 2) describe refugee simulation participants’ experience with and reflection on the simulation. The study employed a mixed-methods design and included 27 community college students from the United States as participants. The participants experienced a refugee simulation. They completed the VIA Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS4) on the day before and after the refugee simulation to provide data on potential character growth. They also completed the adapted Guide for Reflective Practice (GRP5) on the day after the refugee simulation to reflect on their experience and provider qualitative information about their experience and reflection.
The participants experienced individual character growth, as evidenced by increases in character strengths including bravery, curiosity, fairness, judgment, kindness, love of learning, social intelligence, and zest. These character strengths predispose individuals to approach unfamiliar events openly and enthusiastically with the consideration of others’ welfare. Additionally, the participants described the refugee simulation to be transformative. They developed changed perspectives about refugees, improved empathy towards refugees, and enhanced desire to offer refugees assistance.
The findings of this study revealed that refugee simulations are transformational activities that facilitate individual character growth, alter attitudes toward refugees, and potentially improve nonrefugees’ interactions with refugees. However, the benefits of these simulations may extend to other diverse, marginalized communities. It is recommended that practitioners employ simulations to reduce hatred toward and foster the inclusion of diverse, marginalized people.
Description Format
html
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Amy, "Changing Attitudes About Refugees through Refugee Simulations" (2023). International Conference on Hate Studies. 20.
https://repository.gonzaga.edu/icohs/2023/seventh/20
Full Text of Presentation
wf_no
Media Format
flash_audio
Session Title
Strategies and Approaches to Challenging Hate
Type
Panel
Changing Attitudes About Refugees through Refugee Simulations
Littlefoot A Room 124A
There are over 100 million refugees globally. Because of the September 11 attacks and the wars that followed, western host societies tend to hold negative attitudes toward refugees, such as hostility and mistrust2. These negative attitudes contribute to discrimination against refugees, which impacts them negatively. Improving understanding of the lived experiences of refugees may reduce negative attitudes toward them and promote positive interactions with this cultural group3. One way to develop this understanding is through refugee simulations, as they enable participants to experience parts of the rehoming process.
As such, we conducted a study to 1) investigate the effects of refugee simulations on one’s character growth and 2) describe refugee simulation participants’ experience with and reflection on the simulation. The study employed a mixed-methods design and included 27 community college students from the United States as participants. The participants experienced a refugee simulation. They completed the VIA Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS4) on the day before and after the refugee simulation to provide data on potential character growth. They also completed the adapted Guide for Reflective Practice (GRP5) on the day after the refugee simulation to reflect on their experience and provider qualitative information about their experience and reflection.
The participants experienced individual character growth, as evidenced by increases in character strengths including bravery, curiosity, fairness, judgment, kindness, love of learning, social intelligence, and zest. These character strengths predispose individuals to approach unfamiliar events openly and enthusiastically with the consideration of others’ welfare. Additionally, the participants described the refugee simulation to be transformative. They developed changed perspectives about refugees, improved empathy towards refugees, and enhanced desire to offer refugees assistance.
The findings of this study revealed that refugee simulations are transformational activities that facilitate individual character growth, alter attitudes toward refugees, and potentially improve nonrefugees’ interactions with refugees. However, the benefits of these simulations may extend to other diverse, marginalized communities. It is recommended that practitioners employ simulations to reduce hatred toward and foster the inclusion of diverse, marginalized people.