Binnaz KIRAN ESEN[1], binkiran2009@gmail.com

Alim KAYA[2], alimkaya32@gmail.com

Mehtap SEZGİN[3], mehtapsezgin@hotmail.com

Bilge BAKIR AYĞAR[4], bilgebakir23@gmail.com

We are observing that violence is increasing in society and violative behaviors are also increasing among children and adolescents. What is the reason behind the agressive and violent behaviors of many adolescents? Attitudes towards violence seems to have an important role to predict perpetrator of violence. It is thought that researches which examine varying attitudes towards violence will contribute to studies which aim to prevent violence. For this reason, this study has been conducted to compare attitudes towards violence among adolescents who are victims or non-victims of violence. In addition, this current study examines how attitudes towards violence vary according to gender, perpetrator group of violence, type of violence, immigration case. For data collection, Personal Information Form and Attitude Towards Violence Scale were used. This scale was developed by Blevins (2001) and adopted to Turkish by Balkıs, Duru and Buluş (2005). Research data were obtained in the spring term of 2014-2015 academic year. The research sample was composed of 680 middle school students from 8th grade level. In the analysis phase of the study, distribution of scores is found as not normal; therefore Mann-Whitney U. and Kruskal Wallis H. tests were utilized. According to the results, attitudes toward violence vary depending on gender, exposure to violence, perpetrator group of violence and immigration case. However, victims’ attitudes toward violence do not vary depending on type of violence. As a result, respectively victims of violence, boys and immigrants hold more positive attitudes to violence than non-victims of violence, girls and natives do. In addition, according to perpetrator group of violence, adolescents who have been exposured to violence by teacher hold more positive attitudes to violence than family, peer and other perpetrator group of violence do. Conclusions were discussed considering the literature related to violence.

Key Words: Violence, Victim of Violence, Attitude Towards Violence

[1]Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mersin University, Faculty of Education,  Educational Sciences Department, Guidance and Psychological Counseling.

[2]Prof. Dr. Mersin University, Faculty of Education,  Educational Sciences Department, Guidance and Psychological Counseling.

[3]Research Assistant Mersin University, Faculty of Educatıon,  Educational Sciences Department Guidance and Psychological Counseling.

[4]Research Assistant Mersin University, Faculty of Educatıon,  Educational Sciences Department Guidance and Psychological Counseling.