Cultural Differences : Individualism and Collectivism Cultural Differences : Individualism and Collectivism

The many cultures of the world differ in a great variety of ways. One of the most The many cultures of the world differ in a great variety of ways. One of the most
interesting ways in which cultures vary is in the extent to which they are "individualistic" interesting ways in which cultures vary is in the extent to which they are "individualistic"
or "collectivistic." An individualist society and a collectivist society are different in many or "collectivistic." An individualist society and a collectivist society are different in many
ways. ways.
In an individualistic culture, each person tends to think of himself or herself in terms of his In an individualistic culture, each person tends to think of himself or herself in terms of his
or her own characteristics and preferences-the things that make the person unique or or her own characteristics and preferences-the things that make the person unique or
different from others. In a collectivistic culture, each person tends to think of himself or different from others. In a collectivistic culture, each person tends to think of himself or
herself in terms of his or her social relationships and roles-the things that make the person a herself in terms of his or her social relationships and roles-the things that make the person a
part of a larger group, such as an extended family or an ethnic group. part of a larger group, such as an extended family or an ethnic group.
Another difference between individualist and collectivist cultures involves the tendency to Another difference between individualist and collectivist cultures involves the tendency to
help others. In an individualist society, people feel some obligation to help persons who help others. In an individualist society, people feel some obligation to help persons who
share some group identity-such as their distant relatives, or persons from the same town- share some group identity-such as their distant relatives, or persons from the same town-
but this obligation is not nearly as strong as in collectivist cultures. On the other hand, but this obligation is not nearly as strong as in collectivist cultures. On the other hand,
people in collectivist cultures tend to feel very little inclination to help other people who do people in collectivist cultures tend to feel very little inclination to help other people who do
not belong to their groups, whereas people in individualist cultures are more often willing not belong to their groups, whereas people in individualist cultures are more often willing
to help others even if they do not belong to the same group. to help others even if they do not belong to the same group.
Another difference between individualist and collectivist cultures involves the relationship Another difference between individualist and collectivist cultures involves the relationship
between people and the groups to which they belong. In an individualist culture, people between people and the groups to which they belong. In an individualist culture, people
usually join or leave groups when it is in their personal interest to do so. In a collectivist usually join or leave groups when it is in their personal interest to do so. In a collectivist
culture, people usually stay with one group for a long time. For example, people in culture, people usually stay with one group for a long time. For example, people in
individualist societies are more willing to quit their job, and take a new job at another individualist societies are more willing to quit their job, and take a new job at another
company. People in collectivist societies usually prefer to stay with one company company. People in collectivist societies usually prefer to stay with one company
throughout their career. Similarly, people in individualist countries usually get married for throughout their career. Similarly, people in individualist countries usually get married for
reasons of personal choice, and are more likely to get divorced. However, people in reasons of personal choice, and are more likely to get divorced. However, people in
collectivist societies usually get married according to the wishes of their relatives, and are collectivist societies usually get married according to the wishes of their relatives, and are
less likely to get divorced. less likely to get divorced.
Western countries, such as those of western Europe and North America, are usually Western countries, such as those of western Europe and North America, are usually
considered to be very individualist. However, not all individualist countries are similar in considered to be very individualist. However, not all individualist countries are similar in
every way. For example, the individualism of the United States is viewed as more every way. For example, the individualism of the United States is viewed as more
"competitive" than that of socialist countries, such as Sweden. In contrast to Western "competitive" than that of socialist countries, such as Sweden. In contrast to Western
countries, the countries of most parts of Asia and Africa are usually considered to be very countries, the countries of most parts of Asia and Africa are usually considered to be very
collectivist. Collectivist countries also differ from each other in many ways. The idea of collectivist. Collectivist countries also differ from each other in many ways. The idea of
individualism versus collectivism is an interesting way to understand some of the individualism versus collectivism is an interesting way to understand some of the
differences between cultures. By learning about ideas like this, one can better appreciate differences between cultures. By learning about ideas like this, one can better appreciate
the customs of other peoples. the customs of other peoples.