Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of this study is to observe and evaluate how the perspective of the community is on different ethnic groups in the community. Materials and Method: This study was planned as a part of the Communication and Interview Techniques Course at Occupational therapy Department at Hacettepe University. Our colleagues split into three groups to represent ethnic structures such as women who wear headscarf or burqa and the ones who do not, the marginal, the rich and the poor. For these groups 14 volunteers were chosen out of our colleagues. The chosen people took up appearances appropriate for these groups. Appropriate clothing and accessories were chosen for the selected ethnic structures and marginal groups such as women who wear headscarf or burqa and the ones who do not, the marginal, the rich and the poor. It was also made sure that hair and make up were appropriate for the selected looks. For example; to create a marginal appearance, colorful wigs, nose ring, piercing and colorful outfits were worn, and to create the appearance of women wearing headscarfs or burqa, sheets and headscarfs were used, and old clothes, and slippers were used to create an image of the poor. An appropriate place was determined for the task of each group in the campus. Volunteers went to these areas with their prepared dresses and carried on their studies. They spent two hours in the campus, and in the meantime the public’s reactions were recorded in a video and photographed by three people. These displays were evaluated in the Communication and Interview Techniques Course. Results: It was observed that the public has a different perspective on people who have dress differently. Usually people were puzzled, some of them laughed, some of them reacted negatively or used bad words. conclusion: Community reacts to what is different, out of it, or tends to look with prejudices. It was thought that in the field of Occupational therapy, there should be studies about civic participation of diverse and disadvantaged groups focusing on creating social awareness

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