Individualist societies usually focus on the self, and the needs of themselves and ones close to them. They place value on achievement, diversity, and individual freedom.
An individual may belong to multiple groups, but they are loosely attached to them and they don’t exclusively define themselves by those groups. People in individualistic cultures are also more likely to openly express their emotions, possibly due to more freedom of self-expression within the culture. They also strive to benefit themselves.
Individualism emerged mainly in North America and Europe, and the principles and basis for it developed by the mid-1700s; though it was unnamed at the time.
The term “individualism” was coined in the 1800s. Unlike collectivism, it was possibly established much later in human history due to industrialization, leading to a higher abundance of resources. Some theorize that humans are more likely to work together in times of scarcity, and are more likely to compete in times of excess.
Surprisingly, “individualist” was used as a pejorative at first. This was notably the case in France after the events of the French Revolution, where it was associated with disorder, anarchy, and placing self-interest above others. However, in other countries like Europe, Germany, and especially the U.S, it had more positive connotations (uniqueness, self-sufficiency, and religious nonconformity). In the 19th century, the concept of individualism grew from a mere notion to taking root in the U.S. It incorporated elements of puritanism, social Darwinism, and American values such as natural rights, personal freedom, and capitalism. The idea of hard work and making something of yourself was spreading rapidly, embedding itself in the ideology of the country.
