Perception of individualism and collectivism in Dutch society: A developmental approach

Within Triandis's (1994) theoretical framework, two studies are reported that deal with the developmental course for subjective perceptions of cultural dimensions in Dutch society (i.e., vertical and horizontal individualism and collectivism). While perceptions of society are always subjectively determined, the perceived dimensions that are prevalent in society do not necessarily have to parallel subjective evaluations of the self in terms of the same dimension. In the first study, 245 secondary school pupils and 268 psychology students participated; they were divided into six age groups with mean ages 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 years and above. Outcomes on the Individualism-Collectivism scale (INDCOL; Singelis et al., 1995) demonstrated age- and gender-related changes in perception of society. By calculating the separate dimensions of individualism, collectivism, verticality, and horizontality, a disappearance of collectivism and verticality and an increase in horizontality across age were observed. In the second study, 226 adolescents divided into five age groups participated (mean ages 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 years). They were presented with a generalised and personal version of the INDCOL. Again, age- and gender-related differences were observed. Of interest was the presence of a developmental lag between general and personal perceptions of collectivism, with personal perceptions following general perceptions. The increase in personal adherence to horizontality (i.e., equality among people) across age followed and exceeded the general perceptions of horizontality in society.