Being Group Minded: Individualism versus Collectivism

Individualism Emphasizes Independence and uniqueness of each individual Individuals think and ways that they prefer-Individual supercedes the group

Collectivism Emphasizes Group and its goals before those of the individual members, people are group members first and individuals second. Social existence is centered on group relations, and a sense of community

Both individualism and collectivism recognize the human need for belonging and connection, but a collectivistic orientation puts more value on these relationships.

Common Attributes of Individualism and Collectivism Attribute Individualism Collectivism Relationships, Concern for maintaining relations Concern for nurturing and Memberships, that yield personal benefits and maintaining harmonious And associations few costs (exchange orientation); relations with others Memberships are limited to family (communal orientation); and close personal friendships memberships including family, villages, organizations, social clubs Norms, roles, Behavior is guided by personal Behavior is guided by group and actions attitudes and preferences; context norms and roles; decisions is not as important as personal are made by leaders and attitudes the group Motives and Striving for personal success; Concern for group success; Goals satisfaction comes from personal cooperation among group triumphs in competition with members; group is protected Others at all costs; Strong sense of duty and pride in group’s successes Self –conceptions The independent self is based on The interdependent self is one’s personal, idiosyncratic based on group-level characteristics; each self is relationships, roles, and autonomous and unique social identities rather than on individual personal qualities

NORMS AND ROLES Collectivism In Teams (Norms and Roles) Respect for those who hold positions of authority Avoids disagreement or dissent: Prefer acquiescence to disagreement and compromise to conflict. Successful fulfillment of their roles and responsibilities in groups is a primary source of self-satisfaction Respond more negatively to group members who violate groups norms, procedures, and authority. Operating principal is, ‘The tall nail gets pounded down.” Are group-serving, or sociocentric – they strive to increase the well-being of the group as a whole.

Collectivists More likely to include relationships: Social roles, such as spouse, parent, caregiver, and memberships in group and clubs categories as central aspect of colective identity Express their collective identity in team sports such as volleyball or soccer, enjoy competing or exercising with other people.

Individualism In Teams (Norms and Roles) Individualists are more likely to follow their attitudes, beliefs, and preferences rather than social norms in making choices Comfortable with disagreement with others Individualistic are less negative to nonconformity “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Tend to be self-serving or egocentric – strive to get as much as they can from the group but also try to minimize their personal contributions

Individualists Behaviors Express their personal independent identity in exercise by jogging or swimming (self satisfaction)

The Multiple Domains of Individualism and Collectivism Domain Name Description Sample Item Individualism Independence Freedom, self-sufficiency, I tend to do my own And control over one’s life thing, and others in my family do the same. Goals Striving for one’s own goals I take great pride in Desires, and achievements accomplishing what no one else can accomplish. Competition Personal competition and It is important to me Winning that I perform better Than others on a task Uniqueness Focus on one’s unique I am unique: different idiosyncratic qualities from others in many respects Privacy Thoughts and actions I like my privacy. Private from others Self-knowledge Knowing oneself; having I know my A strong identity weaknesses and Strengths. Direct Communication Clearly articulating one’s I always state my Wants and needs opinions very clearly.

Collectivism Relating Considering close others To understand who I am, you must An integral part of the self see me With members of my group Belonging Wanting to belong to and To me, pleasure is spending Enjoying being part of groups time with others Duty The duties and sacrifices that I would help, within my means, Being a group member entails if a relative were in financial difficulty Harmony Concern for group harmony; I make an effort to avoid Desire that members get along disagreements with my group members. Advice Turning to close others for Before making a decision, Help with decisions I always Consult with others Context Self changes according to How I behave depends on who I am Context or situation With, where I am, or both. Hierarchy Focus on hierarchy and I have respect for the authority Status issues figures with whom I interact. Group Preference for group work I would rather do a group paper or lab than do one alone

Variation Within Cultures and Gender 60% of the people in collectivistic cultures are interdependent types, 60% of the people in individualistic cultures are independent types In Western cultures women more often stress connections with other people, whereas men tend to stress independence and autonomy