Lesson 1.3: Individualism-Collectivism Cultural Dimension Lesson 1.3: Individualism-Collectivism

Essential Question What is the difference between an individualistic culture and a collectivistic culture?

Quick Review Visible Culture Invisible Culture

Activation Jogging Alone Read the excerpt from “Resolving a Cross-Cultural Understanding” and answer the six questions that follow. When you are finished, share your answers with your partner.

Illunga’s Harvest Why was it important to Illunga to have a fishpond? What actions in the story revealed Illunga’s commitment to his fish pond? What was a significant incident in the story? What do you feel is the most important message in the story?

Let’s look at paragraphs 71 and 74 in which Mr Let’s look at paragraphs 71 and 74 in which Mr. Tidwell talks to Illunga about giving away too many fish and taking care of himself and not the village people. Did Illunga give away too many fish? Why do you think Illunga gave away so many fish?

In Illunga’s culture, it is required of him to share his harvest of fish. It was expected and normal for him to do so. This dimension of culture is called collectivism. Collectivism emphasizes relations and people in a culture that rely on relatives, tribes, in-groups to take care of them and in return they are loyal to the group. Traits of collectivistic cultures: community, collaboration, shared interest, harmony, tradition, the public good, and maintaining face. Interdependency is primary and individualism is secondary.

Now, let us consider why Mike Tidwell reacted the way he did Now, let us consider why Mike Tidwell reacted the way he did. Tidwell is an American. The U.S. is part of a cultural dimension known as individualism. Individualistic societies have loose ties between individuals. Everyone is expected to looker after him/herself and their immediate family. Priority is personal goals over the goals of the group. Characteristics: the individual is the most important unit in any social setting, independence over interdependence, individual achievement is rewarded, uniqueness of the individual is of paramount value.

Consider the following…. Children and parents live far apart and don’t see each other often. Individuals are very conscious of their family name and reputation. Individuals may leave and go to another country but send most of their money back home. Children move out of their home at an early age. Children do not expect their parents to help them financially. Children may live with their parents for a long time.

Children and parents live far apart and don’t see each other often. (I) Individuals are very conscious of their family name and reputation.(C) Individuals may leave and go to another country but send most of their money back home. (C) Children move out of their home at an early age. (I) Children do not expect their parents to help them financially. (I) Children may live with their parents for a long time. (C)

Individualism-Collectivism Research Activity Examine one country from each group and determine where you believe they would fall on the Individualism-Collectivism continuum. The higher the number you give the more individualist the country! For example, the U.S. is ranked #1 of all countries and has a value of 91.

Arabic Spanish Chinese Egypt (pg. 148-158) Kuwait (pg. 288-298) Saudi Arabia (pg. 426-436) Spanish Colombia (pg. 104-112) Mexico (pg. 313-321) Spain (pg. 469-476) Chinese China (pg. 89-99) Hong Kong (pg. 100-103) Taiwan (pg. 495-505)

Proverb Activity Examine the following proverbs and determine if they are individualistic or collectivistic. “No need to know the person, only the family.” “It takes a village to raise a child.” “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” “The nail that sticks up gets hammered down.” “The sheep separated from the flock is eaten by the wolf.” “It’s up to you.”

“No need to know the person, only the family.” (African – C) “It takes a village to raise a child.” (African – C) “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” (U.S. – I) “The nail that sticks up gets hammered down.” (Japanese – C) “The sheep separated from the flock is eaten by the wolf.” (Turkey – C) “It’s up to you.” (U.S. – I)

Journal Write you understanding of collectivism and individualism and one example of a behavior that represents each dimension.