“You Cannot Get into My Taxi!” Perceptions of a COVID-19-based Rejection Episode Reported in the Newspapers

COVID-19-related incidents of xenophobia have hit the headlines. We asked participants to read about a rejection episode targeting foreigner and we manipulated whether was motivated by COVID-19 fears or no specific reasons. In condition, perpetrator perceived as moral but experiencing shame guilt, while target seen social pain. Helping intentions were predicted either victim's pain morality blame associated with perpetrator.