Individualism and collectivism of teachers and their perception of otherness among pupils in the classroom [Individualizem in kolektivizem učiteljev ter njihova zaznava drugačnosti otrok v razredu]

作者：Kuscer M P; Prosen S

来源：Didactica Slovenica-Pedagoska Obzorja, 2009, 24(2): 60-77.

• Collectivism
• Individualism
• Perception of otherness
• Personality traits of pupils
• Pupil
• Teacher

The dimensions of individualism and collectivism are connected to the priorities that individuals have. In individualism the personal goals are emphasized and within collectivism the in-group goals are stressed The present study was implemented as a part of the Partnership among Faculty and Schools project and studied the possible connections among teachers' values, relationships, self-perception and goal priorities (i.e., Triandis'model of individualism/collectivism) as well as their perception of otherness among pupils in the classroom. Their perceptions of different children were based on short descriptions of selected children and were organised into four categories: positive, negative, mixed descriptions as well as bodily and medical characteristics of children. In addition, we were interested in teachers'perception ofpersonality traits of pupils that are perceived as different. Teachers described their extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness using the personal characteristics scale. The collected data showed that teachers perceived the level of individualism/collectivism differently for themselves and for society in general. There were specific connections found among the individualistic/ collectivistic orientation of teachers and their perception of differences.