A compilation of basic findings about these two social philosophies.
Get StartedIndividualism and collectivism are two types of cultural orientations that prioritize the individual or group in their society, respectively. Individualism is characterized by concern for oneself and their immediate family, and valuing independence. Collectivism is characterized by concern for others or the community, and valuing interdependence.
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In a study of behavior interpretation, Chinese, Japanese, and North American individuals viewed an animation depicting a fish swimming in the opposite direction of its school. The Americans believed the fish was independent and unique, and the East Asians believed the school ostracized it because there was something wrong with it.
Individualism-Collectivism is one of Hofstede’s Seven Cultural Dimensions. These cultural dimensions are a model of a culture’s values and provide a framework for how culture influences behavior, and vice-versa.
Of course, there are always exceptions to such concepts. Some people within an individualistic culture may exhibit more collaborative traits than others, and some people within a collectivistic culture may exhibit more independent traits. Individualism and collectivism are more like a spectrum, and not necessarily two opposing sides.
