Metaphoric Perceptions of University Students on the Concept of Favoritism

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study is to determine how university students conceptualize and perceive the concept of favoritism through metaphors.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: Phenomenological pattern of qualitative research methods in research; The easily sampling technique was used in the selection of the study group. A total of 158 students studying at Muş Alparslan University in the 2020-2021 academic year were included in the research. The metaphor sentence was sent online to university students. The "content analysis" technique was used to analyze the data.
 Findings: According to the results of the research, the categories created with the metaphors produced by the university students in terms of frequency; The existence of inequality, injustice, and discrimination (f = 59), the stealing of the labor of the deserving person, and alienation from life (f = 36), great harm (f = 35), being legitimate and continuous (f = 13), unfair gain (f = 6 ), being worthless and disgusting (f = 5), not looking at merit (f = 2), and having two sides (f = 1). 
 Highlights: As a result; Based on the statements of the students of Muş Alparslan University, it was concluded that favoritism, a social behavioral disorder with very bad consequences, threatens the development and security of societies and negatively affects the entire society.