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Abstract
Purpose of this study was to investigate civilized and uncivilized behaviors in the classroom, the emotions and reactions towards them, as well as the strategies aiming to prevent these kinds of behaviors from the point of view of students and teachers attending second stage of primary education (6th, 7th and 8th grades). As a qualitative research model was employed in this study which was designed. Sample of the study consisted of 80 students and 28 teachers attending second stage of primary education at Eskisehir city. Data were collected via interviews. A semi-structured questionnaire was used as the data gathering tool. Based on the findings of the study, students perceived civilized behaviors of the teachers as educational whereas teachers evaluated civilized behaviors of the students being towards the course. Being respectful was interpreted as a common civil behavior. Both teachers and students felt positive sentiments towards civilized behaviors and became happy. Another finding of the study revealed that teachers performed uncivilized behaviors, containing violence, towards students. When faced with uncivilized behaviors, students either got negative emotions (as an introverted reaction) or got angry (as an extroverted reaction). Students' reactions were often being passive and keeping their silence whereas teachers often reacted by warning the students. For the prevention of uncivilized behaviors, teachers prefered to talk with the parents, forward the students to the counselor and make one-to-one conversation.
Key Words
Civilized Behaviors, Primary School Students, Teachers, Uncivilized Behaviors.
There are several studies indicating the decrease of the civilized behaviors in 21st century (Benton, 2007; Cole, 2005; Peck, 2002; Scott, 2009). Especially the press states that civility had been eroded in the last 40 years (Henninger, 2007), incidents of incivility were gradually increasing (Swinney, 2004), and courteous behaviors unfortunately are not common anymore (Calhoun, 2000; Dalrymple, 1996; Feldman, 2001; Schneider, 1998).
Civility comes from the Greek word "civilitas" meaning community or city (Clark & Carnosso, 2008). In non-violent communities with tolerance, civilized behaviors carry the meaning of "form of decision-making", "attitude" or "moral values" resulting in non-institutional actions of social interactions between people (Calhoun, 2000; Leagaard, 2008). Merriam-Webster On-line Dictionary (2013) defines civility as "polite, reasonable, and respectful behavior, polite actions and words" whereas The Old World Dictionary (2013) defines it as "formal courtesy and...