Individualism and Collectivism as Cultural Patterns?

Individualism

Stresses individual autonomy and independence of the self

(Marcus & Kitayama 1991)

Individualist and collectivist orientations exist in combination in every society.

Chinese Anthropologist Francis Hsu wrote that individualists feel the self is the basic unit of survival.

•  ‘I’ versus you orientation

•  Compares personal achievements with other members of his/her in-group. Achievements personalized.

•  Often focus is on self interest

•  Often separates from in-group, goes it alone, or finds other groups

•  Individuals stay if group suits a purpose

•  Competitive with other members of in-group and with outsiders

•  Social control includes norms, ethics, laws

•  Majority voting

Chinese Anthropologist Francis Hsu wrote that collectivists feel that the unit of survival lies in a group or several groups.

•  ‘We’ versus they orientation

•  Group is more important than individual.

•  Achievements are attributed to the group effort.

•  Cooperative with in-group. Group as a whole may compete with other groups.

•  Empathy and concern expressed for members of in-group.

•  Community based social controls

•  Consensus decisions

Works at being undifferentiated from other members of the group

Maintains specific and firm social boundaries (long-term loyalty)

U.S. Differences in Collectivism

Figure taken from Vandello & Cohen (1999). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77, 279-292.

In the southern states:

Ø  Strong sense of regional identification

(Bonded as a people historically defined in opposition to the rest of the U.S.)

Ø  Agricultural/plantation history with hierarchical social structure

Ø  Social and family ties paramount

Ø  Poverty and financial dependence leads to social dependence

(Wealth contributes to social independence)

Ø  Church and fundamentalist orientation

Utah

Ø  Influence of Mormon Church

Hawaii

Ø  Culture reflects combination of Indigenous, Asian, and EuroAmerican influences. Most collectivistic state.

Northeast states like New York and New Jersey

Ø  Large migrations of peoples from more collectivistic cultures.