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02/15/2021 - Week 6: Individualism vs. Collectivism

 


    As we saw in the previous posts, cultures can vary in distinct aspects. Time, expressivity, and others (that we will keep talking about in the next posts). Some of these aspects can be understood by a better understanding of these two cultural orientations: individualism and collectivism.

Individualism

Cultures with an individualistic perspective tend to see individuals as atoms, each one an important part of the group that has an opinion of their own. Free will and independent choices are expected and demanded by society, as they grow up to be more responsible for themselves.

One person as a complete unit.




Collectivism

 On the other hand, group orientated cultures picture the world and interactions in a more holistic view. Everything is connected, and individuals are responsible for the group. Elders and older family/community members are responsible for most of the choices, and everything is done thinking about the group (family, tribe, etc.). 

People are not separate units, but parcels of a larger group.



The contrasts

 As we can see, they are completely different, and those differences impact how they picture things.

 For example, individualistic cultures picture time as linear, following an arrow that goes to the future; while collectivistic cultures perceive time as circular, following the seasons or moon pattern.

  Because of that, self-orientated cultures may encourage individual achievement and choices that impact the future for self. Creativity and independence are encouraged, and success is determined by standing out. Using their time to achieve what is best for them as individuals.

  However, group-oriented cultures encourage sticking to the group. It is expected to do what is already used for the elders because that is what brings the best to the group. Following the pattern of past generations creates less conflict possible, allowing the group to live in harmony and cooperation.

 Individualistic cultures prize creativity, innovation, and stating out. Material recommendation and competition are elements also present in those cultures.

Also, personality and identity are linked to individual expectations and attributes. Identity is individual.

 So, shame and disappointment appear when individual expectations and goals are not accomplished.

 While on collectivism, individuals must stick to the group. They are expected, and also expect, to do what brings honor to the family, country, or group.


 What brings disappointment and shame to the group-oriented culture is a not fulfillment of the group expectations.
 
 A great example is the Disney movie "Mulan". In the movie, Mulan was expected to find a husband. Marriage was what was expected from her in the group. Since she failed in her first attempt to meet the group expectations, she dishonored her family. This brought shame to her family, and also on herself (individual as part of the group).


  Another difference is about how to achieve knowledge. In individualistic cultures, kids are encouraged to seek their own knowledge and ask questions. While in collectivistic cultures, knowledge is passed from generation to generation, and kids are not expected to ask so many questions. They must wait until the parents or responsible judge that they are prepared for the knowledge.

  One last difference I want to comment is about self-expression and property.

 Self-expression is, obviously, individualistic cultures approved. In those cultures, you can choose how to dress, your makeup, and your haircut. Since an individual is a unique and separate unit, it is so upon this person to decide their own appearance and vocabulary.

 For group-oriented cultures, since we are part of something bigger, our appearance and vocabulary are determined by the group we live in. The status, economic situation, and age determine how you would express, dress, and say in those cultures.

 Do you need an example? Think about the 18th century, and how women were expected to dress black when they became widows. The "uniform" also had a black veil, and women were expected to wear it for up to four years.



 Since an individual is unique, the property is also individual in the self-oriented cultures. While in a group-oriented culture, the property is shared within a group.

Conclusion

 As we could discuss, those two groups are completely different. Because of those differences, miscommunication is common. But when we try to understand how each culture and individual picture the world around them based on their cultural lens, it is easier to interact with them. 
 
 I would point that, for a teacher and even society, to better interact within the other group, understanding the differences is vital. Consider your classroom, are your students from a self-oriented or group-oriented culture? Are they from both? 
 Based on their group, how they would react to this factor? How they would understand this experience?

 I believe that understanding these two groups helps us to understand the paradigms that our students and ourselves may have, guiding us to a fair class.


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