Individualist cultures tend to value _________; collectivist cultures tend to value _________.

1.3.4 - Individualist or Collectivist

Individualist cultures tend to value _________; collectivist cultures tend to value _________.

Individualist or Collectivist

The way you responded to the Sharing the Rewards exercise tells you something about how you feel regarding individual achievement and reward. Most Americans choose to divide the available pool in a disproportionate way; they do not generally divide the money equally. This tendency to stress either individuality or a more collective response is one of the most widely distributed traits around the world. Not every culture is at one end or the other of the spectrum, but the majority tend to favor one over the other in everyday life. Knowing about the basis of this Collectivism versus Individualism construct will help you to recognize, understand, and anticipate attitudes in different types of cultures.

Individualist cultures tend to value _________; collectivist cultures tend to value _________.
Individualist�

The individual identifies primarily with self, with the needs of the individual being satisfied before those of the group. Looking after and taking care of oneself, being self-sufficient, guarantees the well-being of the group. Independence and self-reliance are greatly stressed and valued. In general, people tend to distance themselves psychologically and emotionally from each other. One may choose to join groups, but group membership is not essential to one�s identity or success. Individualist characteristics are often associated with men and people in urban settings.

Collectivist�

Individualist cultures tend to value _________; collectivist cultures tend to value _________.
One�s identity is, in large part, a function of one�s membership and role in a group, e.g., the family or work team. The survival and success of the group ensures the well-being of the individual, so that by considering the needs and feelings of others, one protects oneself. Harmony and the interdependence of group members are stressed and valued. Group members are relatively close psychologically and emotionally, but distant toward nongroup members. Collectivist characteristics are often associated with women and people in rural settings.  



Individualist cultures tend to value _________; collectivist cultures tend to value _________.

Look at the list of characteristics and behaviors given below. If you decide the statement is more likely to apply to people living in an individualist culture, write "I" in the underlined blank space; if you think it is characteristic of a collectivist culture, write "C."

Characteristics and Behaviors

1.

People answer the phone by giving the name of the organization.

2.

People give cocktail parties.

3.

Inter-group rivalry is strong.

4.

Employee-of-the-year awards are offered.

5.

People adhere to tradition.

6.

People are promoted based on production and results.

7.

Contracts in business are used frequently.

8.

There is a need for autonomy.

9.

People change jobs frequently.

10.

People believe that conflict clears the air.

11.

There is a need for affiliation.

12.

Short-term relationships are common.

13.

It�s okay to stand out.

14.

Face-saving is important.

15.

It�s common for mothers to ask their preschoolers what they want to wear each day.

16.

Self-help books are popular.

17.

Decisions are made by consensus.

18.

The language has one word for mother�s brother, another for father�s brother.

19.

Marriages are arranged.

20.

People have potluck dinners.

Suggested answers

Collectivist cultures often use hyperbolic language, while individualist cultures often use more understated language.

___________ contends we have a personal identity as well as a social identity—the part of our self-concept that comes from our group memberships.

Individuals from high-context cultures pay more attention to verbal cues than nonverbal cues.

Our worldview informs our intercultural communication.

Adapting and adjusting your language and nonverbal behaviors is known as behavioral affirmation.

Mindfulness involves practicing intercultural sensitivity, which can promote more effective intercultural communication.

_____________ cultures tend to place value on assertiveness, achievement, ambition, and competitiveness; _________ cultures tend to value nurturance, relationships, and quality of life.

Jennifer and her roommate are from two different cultures. Jennifer believes her roommate is lazy and unable to complete tasks in a timely manner. She begins to give her roommate tasks around the apartment that require minimum effort. When her roommate, in turn, fails to put in a great deal of effort on any of the tasks she is given, Jennifer confirms to herself, “See? I knew she wouldn’t try very hard. ” This is an example of what the textbook refers to as ______________.

In India, class status is far more stratified than in the United States and indicates greater power distance.

Intercultural communication training generally focuses on the following:

Changing feelings, or affect; Changing thinking or cognition; changing behavior

In __________ cultures, individuals perceive themselves primarily as members of a group and communicate from that perspective.

Emotional expression varies___ across cultural boundaries.

Ethnocentrism is behavior toward a person or group based solely on their membership in a particular group, class, or category.

Communication is considered ________ when the differences between communicators are so substantial that they can potentially create different interpretations and expectations.

What are suggested as a skills that can help promote effective and appropriate intercultural communication?

listening effectively; thinking before speaking or acting;being empathic

__________ focuses on the ways in which communication within and between groups affects relationships.

Cultural variations play out along a spectrum and are not absolute.

Jack finds himself paying close attention to the meanings of nonverbal cues in intercultural interactions. He listens to tone of voice, notices the passage of time between responses, searches for meaning in the relationship, and makes decisions about communication based on the situation at hand. He most likely comes from a _____ context culture.

Overaccommodating another culture can lead to ineffective communication.

Our comfort/discomfort with the unknown doesn’t vary much across cultural boundaries.

What do individualist cultures value?

In individualistic cultures, people are considered "good" if they are strong, self-reliant, assertive, and independent. This contrasts with collectivist cultures where characteristics like being self-sacrificing, dependable, generous, and helpful to others are of greater importance.

What is individualistic and collectivist culture?

In individualistic cultures, people behave according to self-interest and personal preferences and consider independence and self-sufficiency very important. In collectivist cultures, groups are of primary importance—individuals are secondary.

What does collectivist value?

Collectivist values are characterized by moral frameworks and social behaviours which emphasize the group and its interests and therefore favour in-group interests (such as communal, societal, or national interests) over the interests of its individual members, and further favour the interests of in-group members over ...

How do individualist and collectivist culture differ in their values and goals?

Here, individuals pride themselves on their autonomy and independence. As a result, social behaviour at large is dictated by the attitudes and preferences of individuals. Collectivist cultures prioritise the needs and goals of the group over the needs and desires of an individual.