Examples Of Individualistic Culture

On the contrary, collectivist societies value conformity, and are more concerned with the success of the group as a whole (Goncalo & Staw, 2006). One of the key differences between the two is the structure of the family unit and the significance placed on maintaining close family ties. Collectivist societies follow a hierarchical system with the patriarchal figure given ultimate power and respect. The importance of family is not valued as highly in individualist societies. For example, while it would be typical for a family living under one roof to consist of many generations and extended relations in China, it would seem highly unusual if the same was to occur in a country such as the United States of America (USA) (Jyh-Shen Chiou, 2001). This is due to the heavy emphasis placed on collectivism in China. Western countries, including the USA, are traditionally viewed as individualist societies (Cai, Wilson, & Drake, 2000). As there is no clear distinction between the family unit and the individual in collectivist cultures, the reputation of the family name is closely tied to the behaviour of every person. Embarrassing one’s self would be to bring shame to the

In Communications Between Cultures individualism and collectivism are described by researchers as “self-orientation versus collective orientation as one of the basic pattern variables that determine human action.” These differences can be found in family life, school, and workplace

Individualism is often viewed as a positive trait in America, suggesting a certain level of personal confidence. American society tends to reward independent thinkers and those who decide autonomously. To this end, individuality has become a value in many American homes. Although individualism is widely received and respected in American culture, it is not as well respected in other cultures. One culture in particular which frowns on individualism is the Asian culture.

Culture is defined by a construction of one's world-view, and it is transmitted by individuals and collectives through socialization and enculturation (Pederson & Ivey, 13). It contains values, beliefs, language, and perception. In studying cultural differences among members of distinct national, ethnic groups researcher have examined the concept of collectivism and individualism. People form individualistic cultures tend to view themselves as unique entities and independent form one another (Coon & Kemmelmeier, 348)

In the United States, we see a lot of individuals change their focus of culture. In the article found from a website called, “How American Individualism is Evolving,” written by Daniel Yankelovich, he states, “I’ve long suspected the 1960s’ conception of ‘satisfy-my-needs' individualism is bad for society, bad for personal relationships, bad for children, and bad for the people who hold it.” Before, culture used to be oriented around family, which was usually around mom, dad, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. People do not look at culture the same and it has been reduced and the traditions have changed.

The moral importance of a person or an individual is emphasized by his or her moral stance ideologically, political philosophy and socially. This forms the individualism of a person. Individualists focus on their goals and desires thus value self-reliance and independence. Individual interests take precedence over the interest of the nation or community at large. A community on the other hand has common values and its interests take preference over individual interests. Communities can be small or large, for instance, national community, and international community or even virtual communities. Individualism and community can conflict. According to Less Newman, a middle class American, “American society

Individualistic culture– emphasizes private concerns and views the government, as a utilitarian device to accomplish what the people want. Politicians are interested in holding office as a means of controlling government’s favors and rewards.

Culture refers to socially shared and transmitted patterns of ideas (values, norms, and beliefs) that are instantiated in everyday practices, institutions, and artifacts (Tsai, Levenson, & McCoy, 2006). Culture may play an important role in emotional regulation and expression. Of particular interest is the interplay between collectivistic and individualistic societies and social expectations and customs.

Looking at the chart the first dimension of culture plotted is individualism-collectivism. This dimension addresses how people define themselves and their relationships with others. Cultures that fall on the individualism side of the continuum share four characteristics. First, such cultures consider the individual to be the most important entity in any social setting. Second, individualistic cultures stress independence rather than dependence. Third, individualistic cultures reward individual achievement. The last characteristic is; individualistic cultures value each individual’s uniqueness.

What distinguishes the individualist culture from collectivist culture is in how the relation of individual interests and community interests are dealt with. In a collectivist culture, people are taught that the interests of the community are considered to be the most important.

Western cultures like the United States and Canada, tend to be individualistic cultures because the individual and individual rights are valued more highly than group identity or group rights. We strive for endless improvement and perfection. You can find people with this type of culture with a competitive attitude and motivation to make oneself better. With this being said, face saving plays an important role of keeping the integrity of one's reputation.

Individualism is an ideology or moral stance where the personal worth, freedom, ambitions and goals of an individual is valued above the good of everything else. In this ideology, the individual does whatever is best for him or her. Self-sufficiency and self-actualization is held at a high standard and valued in this ideology. Individualism is usually defined in contrast to collectivism, which promotes the goals and values of the society above the individual. The concept of individualism is woven into the fundamental foundation of the United States of America. In this outline, the historical framework, that is how and why individualism became a part of western culture, the contemporary issues, that is how individualism manifest itself in the

In contrast, Individualists people feel free to leave their homes, jobs, and churches in search of better opportunities. As adolescents, individualists struggle to separate from their parents and define their personal sense of self for themselves. Pakistani people are also Collectivists who may have less number of relationships however they are strong and longer lasting. It has been observed that in collectivist cultures the relations between employee-employers are associated with mutual loyalty, by giving value to social solidarity, and people try to maintain harmony among them by respecting each other (Kahneman, Diener, E & Schwarz, A,

Culture is an “operational code” shared by members of a particular society, a system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that members of society use to cope with their world and with one another. Members of a society share their culture; there is no “culture of one”, it is learned through a process called enculturation, and changeable through social interactions between people and groups. Culture is patterned, meaning that people in a society live and think in ways forming definite, repeating patterns.

| The fundamental issue addressed by this dimension is the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members. It has to do with whether people´s self-image is defined in terms of “I” or “We”. In Individualist societies people are supposed to look after themselves and their direct family only. In Collectivist societies people belong to ‘in