Investigating the relationship between responsibility value and empathy skill aimed to be gained in social studies program

This research in general aimed at investigating the relationship between responsibility value and empathy skill aimed to be gained in Social Studies Program. In this respect, the relationship between fifth grade students? levels of responsibility at elementary school and empathy were examined in terms of gender, Social Studies success scores and socio-economic level of school.In the research, the mixed methods design in which both qualitative and quantitative research methods were applied together was used. The quantitative section of the study was in the form of correlational survey model and in the other part consisting of qualitative section, the qualitative interviewing was performed. The target population of the study was the fifth grade students in the elementary schools in the six central districts located in Ankara (Etimesgut, Yenimahalle, Çankaya, Keçiören, Altındağ, Mamak). Its sample consisted of two each class from each three schools at three different socioeconomic levels in these districts. Therefore, we applied three scales (?Responsibility Scale for Children?, ?Empathy Scale? and ?Personal Information Form?) to 1079 fifth grade students for quantitative data and, performed individually a qualitative interviewing with 36 of them (18 male and 18 female students) for qualitative data. We analyzed quantitative data through SPSS 15.0 package program, using the descriptive statistical analysis, independent sample t-test, Mann-Witney U test, one way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, regression analysis and correlation analysis. We also analyzed qualitative data using the content analysis. According to the results of this research: 1. More than half of the students (36 interviewees) in the study group said that they fulfilled their all responsibilities both at home and school. 2. Close to half of the students in the study group said that did not need to be reminded of their responsibilities. 3. All of the students in the study group had the minimum empathetic tendency at least. 4. Most of the students in the study group had a tendency of empathetic response. 5. The majority of the students in the study group referred to the direct concerning processes with empathy. 6. There was a positive way, moderate and significant relationship between empathy and responsibility levels of students. 7. The students?s level of empathy was a significant predictor of his/her level of responsibility. 8. Female students? levels of responsibility and empathy were significantly higher than the levels of responsibility and empathy of male students. 9. The mean scores of responsibility and empathy of students in terms of Social Studies success scores significantly differentiated at low, medium and high levels. 10. The mean scores of empathy of students in schools at low socioeconomic level were significantly lower than the students in schools at medium and high socioeconomic levels. 11. The school socioeconomic level variable did not significantly differentiate on students' level of responsibility. On the basis of research results, we made some suggestions to researchers and authorities. Key Words: Social Studies, Social Studies Program, values, responsibility, skills, empathy.