REFUGEE COVID 19 PROTOCOL (KARAOGLU)

Flashcards about COVID-19 protocol adherence and NGO staff perceptions.

Attribution theory

Describes how individuals attribute the underlying causes of their own and other people’s behavior, and whether there are external (situational) or internal (dispositional) causes. In the study, NGO staff often made dispositional (internal) attributions for refugee non-adherence (e.g., cultural ignorance) and external (situational) attributions for their own (e.g., work stress), reflecting bias and reinforcing power dynamics.

Paternalism

Practice/ideology. When those in power limit others' autonomy, claiming it’s for their benefit. In humanitarian aid, it appears when staff assume refugees cannot make rational decisions for themselves and thus need control and guidance, undermining their agency—even when staff and refugees share cultural backgrounds.

Moral Judgments

Evaluations that assign blame or praise based on perceived character flaws or virtues. In the study, NGO staff often used moral judgments (e.g., calling refugees careless or ignorant) to explain non-adherence, reinforcing stereotypes and justifying paternalistic control.

What types of services were primarily analyzed in the study?

Medical services, psychological counseling, education, food distribution, and vocational training provided by NGOs in Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Dispositional/internal attributions

Refers to the assessment of a person's behavior as reflecting their character or personality traits, rather than external circumstances. This type of attribution assumes that individual actions stem from stable and enduring qualities.

Situational/external attributions

Refers to the assessment of a person's behavior as influenced by external factors or circumstances, rather than their character or personality traits. This attribution highlights the role of situational variables in shaping individual actions.

What contradiction is highlighted in NGO staff perceptions of refugees?

Despite cultural and linguistic similarities, staff often “othered” refugees, attributing non-adherence to essentialized cultural deficiencies.

What does the study reveal about South-South humanitarian relationships?

Paternalism exists not just in North-South dynamics but also among Global South actors, showing it is embedded in the ethos of humanitarian assistance.

Why is understanding staff attributions important for public health interventions?

Because misattributing refugee behavior to cultural deficiencies can hinder effective health support and reinforce structural inequalities.

Bare Life

A concept introduced by Giorgio Agamben that highlights the precarious existence of individuals who exist without political agency, rights or recognition and are reduced to mere biological existence, particularly evident in refugee situations.

Cultural Essentialism

The belief that individuals can be wholly defined by their cultural background, often leading to oversimplified and fixed views of diverse groups. In humanitarian contexts, this can affect how aid is perceived and delivered.