Individualism vs Collectivism

Individualism and Collectivism civilization Abstract This essay discusses contrasting aspects of Individualism and socialism gloss. Although each culture is distinct, Individualist and collectivism have a opposite implication for fond organization. In this essay I able use my private discover as a foreigner to help the readers figure the subject. In extension to the research I have done I was able to control information to help me fully understand how the two concepts impacted different countries such as the U. S.A, China and Burkina Faso. There ar about a hundred and nighty-six countries on this planet, all(prenominal) one of them has a variety of cultures and traditions. agricultures ar typic solelyy divided into two categories collectivized and individual. Individualist cultures, such as those of the United Sates and western Europe, value individualal achievement resulting in a strong sense of competition. Collectivist cultures, such as those of China, Korea , and Japan, emphasize family and doing group goals above individual needs or desires.From a personal preference I would prefer a socialistic society simply orders of social behavior change from culture to culture. I impart right away explain my experience coming in the United States to study. Being an internationalist student from Burkina Faso, a country that has more than sixty ethnic groups with all different languages and dialects. I myself speak three languages, Moore my inaugural and French second. The Western cultures ar more individualist than collectivist Eastern cultures. The United States is considered to be an individualist country, so when I first got here, the transfer was very hard.I met American conversances at U. G. A, despite been very nice it was hard sometimes to understand each other, as our cultures argon different. The terms individualism and collectivism are usually used to express different cultures. An individualistic culture is where individuals a re said to be bounded, autonomous, distinct from others, and emphasizing ones give birth goals and agency rather than those of others (Mascolo M. F. & Li J. , 2004, p. 27). As it was stated in the first paragraph the United States is listed as having an individualist society.Some people would offer themselves, their family and admirer as an anecdotal counter example to American individualism, but two individualist and collectivist orientations whitethorn coexist within individuals cultures (Kim U. & Trandis H. C. & Choi S. C. , 1994, p. 123). For example my ruff friend in Burkina Faso, born(p) and raised there grew up to compel an individualist. She say it herself, I do not like to share. A person may live in a traditionally collectivised culture and may still express individualistic behaviors within that culture, in force(p) like my friend.The culture in Burkina is known for being hostile and as for myself being born there, and having a total nine siblings, we all shared o ut everything, such as cloth, food, toys and many other things. So growing in this surroundings I have learned to share not exclusively with brother and sisters but sometimes cousins. The traditional piles of individualism and collectivism designate that Eastern countries will exhibit collectivistic tendencies while Western countries will exhibit individualistic tendencies (Parker R. S. , Haytko D. L. , & Hermans C. M. , 2009). According Sen L. H. (2004).Being raised in a collectivist environment, the transition at UGA was a bit complicated. Many of my friends at UGA were born and raised in Georgia some of them have a different way of approaching this subject. For example one of them had a total different situation than mine. He has 2 sisters and was told by his parents that if they each get something each of them have the right not to share. Since both individualist and collectivist orientations may coexist within the two cultures, it is practically impossible to say that every one in western countries is an individualist or that everyone in eastern countries and Africa is a collectivist.As a within the communities it might be possible. For example most of the time in my country if someone is getting married everyone is pretty much invited. unmatchable will have thousands of people at their wedding to show championship to the newlyweds. Studies suggest the well educated are more individualistic than the little(prenominal) educated. City dwellers are more individualistic than rural residents. Men are more individualistic than women, and young more than old. Thus, we need to consider peoples experiences when interacting with them (Kanchier C. , 2007).The said(prenominal) individualism that has led to disaster, such as the mortgage crisis, because it was pursued to overplus will also be the source of Americas eventual resurgence. At its best, American individualism embraces the notion that every person matters. Increasingly, in American cities peculiarl y on the coasts, you will find that social categories are less all- of the essence(p)(a) than individual histories. The U. S media will rather gossip about card Clinton affair and Paris Hiltons sex tapes than talk about important subjects that actually affects peoples life like the increasing dangerousness of terbium as it becomes more immune to anti biotic.By contrast, collectivist are connected and interdependent, stressing roles and relationship, more than individual uniqueness they are principally motivated to subtile group goals rather than their own (Mascolo M. F. & Li J. , 2004, p. 27). Like individualism, within every culture there will be both individualist and collectivist people. Now lets take a look at the aspect of collectivism in China. Chinese culture is indeed more collectivist than individualist, and individualist values such as self-interest tend not to be present. (Kim U. & Trandis H.C. & Choi S. C. , 1994, p. 154). Hui in 1988 developed the individualism-col lectivism scale (INDOL scale) it comprises six subscales purporting to measure a persons collectivism orientation toward target groups (Kim U. & Trandis H. C. & Choi S. C. , 1994, p. 149). In his research Hui compared the scores of Chinese university students to those of American university students. Taken together, these results indicate that Chinese culture may be characterized as predominantly collectivist as well as anti-individualist. (Kim U. & Trandis H.C. & Choi S. C. , 1994, p. 154) For example the Chinese culture carve up is considered be dishonorable they bank that the marriage of two people is the union of two families. According to Luke Metcalfe, 2013, the divorce rate in china is 0. 79 per 1000people. As compared to the U. S. it is very familiar and some areas considered the norm. Luke Metcalfe, 2013 stated that The U. S divorce rate is at 4. 95 per 1000 people, which is the highest country with divorce rate. Individualist and collectivism have a different implicati on for social organization.The components of social organization presented in the platter Individualism and Collectivism are very important they are unite into more inclusive major components, of which there are five values, familiarity/conformity, responsibility, achievement and self-reliance/interdependence. As an example of autonomy/conformity, an my best friend from Burkina Faso would want the right to concealment she imagine that everyone should mind their own business. Their privacy should be respected. While on the other side I would believe that ones business is also the business of the group friends should be concerned with each others personal matters.Individualism and Collectivism are both needed in a society, inside every cultures will exists both concepts. I was raised in a collectivist environment but could decide to become an individualist it may be an unconscious choice, but it happens very frequently. The two concepts have their advantages and disadvantages. Whe n I was a shaver I wanted to learn how to rollerblade because my friends knew how to. I was too proud to contract for their help, so I have decided to teach myself how to uses the rollerblades. I for sure did, but at what cost? Multiple injuries and it took forever before I could really get the hint of it.I now realize that it would have been less painful if I just asked my friends help. Because I believe that collective thrash can make one attain greater success. Because together we are stronger. It is important for us readers to remember that individualism and collectivism each treat their own purposes, they are part of the reasons why our society is the way it is today. References Kanchier, C. (2007, whitethorn 12). Are you part of collective? we are not all individualism. How you view your-self influences how you relate to others at work. The Gazette, p. . Kim U. & Trandis H. C. & Choi S. C. (1994). Individualism and collectivism. United States of America SAGE. Mascolo M. F. & Li J. (2004). Culture and development selves beyond dichotomization. San Francisco Wiley company. NationMaste. (2003-2013). Luke Metcalfe. Retrieved from http//www. nationmaster. com/graph/peo_div_rat-people-divorce-rate Parker R. S. , Haytko D. L. , & Hermans C. M. , (2009). Individualism and Collectivism Reconsidering old Assumptions. Sen, L. H. (2004, may 7). Society needs individualism. The Straits Times, p.