Collectivist and individualist cultures

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For judgements of value about collectivism and individualism, see individualism and collectivism. This article regards how 'collectivist' and 'individualist' are used descriptively in anthropology and cultural psychology.

Cultures are typically divided into two categories: collectivist and individualist. Individualist cultures, such as those of the United States and Western Europe, emphasize personal achievement at the expense of group goals, resulting in a strong sense of competition. Collectivist cultures, such as those of China, Korea, and Japan, emphasize family and work group goals.

Collectivism and individualism deeply pervade cultures. People simply take their culture's stance for granted. In the U.S., everything from 'self-serve' buffet tables to corporate structure to cowboy movies reflect the deeply ingrained individualism.

Both collectivist and individualist cultures have their failings. People in individualist cultures are susceptible to loneliness, and people in collectivist cultures can have a strong fear of rejection.

"We" not "me" orientation.
Each person is encouraged to conform to society, to do what is best for the group and to not openly express opinions or beliefs that go against it.
Group, family or rights for the common good seen as most important than the rights of inviduals.
Rules promote stability, order, obedience.
Fitting in or conforming to group or society is required.
Distinctions made between in-group and out-group.
Working with others and cooperating is the norm. Refusal to cooperate and wanting to be independent or stand out is seen as shameful. Everyone must rely on others for support.

[edit] Traits of Individualism

"I" identity.
Promotes individual goals, initiative and achievement.
Each person is encouraged to stand out, be unique and express themselves.
Individual rights seen as most important. Rules attempt to ensure independence, choices and freedom of speech.
No need to fit in or conform to group or society.
Less distinction between in-group and out-group.
Relying or being dependent on others is seen as shameful. People are encouraged to do things on their own, to rely on themselves.

[edit] Examples of Countries with Generally Collectivistic Cultures

Argentina
Brazil
China
Vietnam
Egypt
Greece
India
Japan
Taiwan
Korea
Mexico

[edit] Examples of Countries with Generally Individualistic Cultures

Canada
Australia
England
France
Ireland
Italy
New Zealand
United State

Attribution is the process of understanding the actions of others based on limited information. Since the process is inexact, large errors often creep in. In individualistic cultures, there is a strong bias towards attributing a person's behavior to the characteristics of that person, instead of to the situation that person is in. This is called the fundamental attribution error. People in collectivist cultures have this bias to a much lesser degree.

[edit] Personality Types

The stereotype of a 'good person' in collectivist cultures is trustworthy, honest, generous, and sensitive, all characteristics that are helpful to people working in groups. In contrast, a 'good person' in individualist cultures is more assertive and strong, characteristics helpful for competing.

The idea of the 'artistic type' or 'bohemian' is not usually found in collectivist cultures. However, collectivist cultures usually have a 'community man' concept not present in individualist cultures.

[edit] Collectivism and individualism in Chinese culture

In Chinese society, collectivism has a long tradition based on Confucianism, where being a 'community man' (qúntǐ de fènzǐ) (群体的分子) or someone with a 'social personality' (shèhuì de réngé) (社会的人格) is valued. Additionally, there is the shìgu (世故) personality type, who is worldly and committed to family.

Individualist thinking in China was formed by Lao Zi and Taoism. He taught that individual happiness is the basis of a good society and saw the state, with its "laws and regulations more numerous than the hairs of an ox," as the persistent oppressor of the individual, "more to be feared than fierce tigers." He was an opponent of taxation and war, and his students and the tradition that followed him were consistently individualistic.

[edit] See also

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This page uses content from the English-language version of Wikipedia. The original article was at Collectivist and individualist cultures. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Psychology Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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