Individualism and Collectivism between Eastern and Western Cultures - Term Paper Example

 Individualism and Collectivism between Eastern and Western Cultures   Different cultures are basically distinguished by using various cultures which are divided into four dimensions which includes Uncertainty avoidance, Power Distance, Masculinity-Femininity and also Individualism along with Collectivism. Long term and short term orientation was also added but still the four dimensions were majorly popular. There are various studies which depict individualism and Collectivism impact on different cultures, one done by Hofstede during the year 1984 showed that the western culture is majorly based on individualism appose to eastern culture being based on collectivism. The concept of individualism and collectivism basically incorporates various cultural norms in it along with having rules based on group identities and also groups which are important for their members along with individuals making sacrifices for the other groups. Such groups or set of people are known as in-groups, out-groups now refer to individuals who are not a part of the in-groups. Individualistic cultures majorly exist in western societies and cultures. People who are a part of the individualistic cultures tend to make decisions which are dependent on their own thinking and what they believe is right and wrong, on the other hand eastern countries that are majorly following the collectivistic cultures would tend to make decisions which are following their own in-groups. People go for “I” in individualistic cultures where as on the other hand “We” is for collectivistic cultures. Western societies are majorly following the independent approach so individualistic culture where nuclear family structure exists is followed and in the eastern societies which are under collectivism, family or even tribal structures are the basic primary unit. Eastern culture is majorly following the collectivism approach where the economy is not that developed, however when we look at the western culture the economy is developed and more efficient. Western cultures tend to have low context communication which is a major factor in individualistic cultures and it is associated with such cultures, on the other hand collectivistic cultures are the ones which associate them with high-context communication. People who are following the low context cultures are the ones for who direct communication is important and it plays an integral part, whereas on the other hand high –context cultures are the ones who give more importance to the group decisions and the group harmony. Personal emotions and feelings are not that important for them which clearly depicts that direct communication is not something popular for them and it is not used that much as that can have a negative impact on the relationship followed by the group and on the harmonious link between the groups. When we talk about the western culture we can clearly say that the people belonging to that culture prefer that their communication is clear without ambiguity and is specific and clear, this is something which is very visible also in the individualistic culture. Eastern societies go for the environment along with various situations, context and also non verbal cues. We also have to take into account another important factor here which is idiocentrism which is associated majorly with individualistic cultures and there is also allocentrism which exists for the collectivistic cultures. There is a possibility that collectivism can be mixed with individualism in one culture however whether it is western culture or even eastern culture there are few points which needs to be analyzed, from the importance of in-groups being realized by the collectivistic cultures more than the individualistic cultures. There is one very important point which has an impact on the cultural choice which is made by the western societies and also the eastern societies; the point is the importance of hierarchy. Hierarchy is something which is more valuable in the collectivistic cultures as oppose to the individualistic cultures. We also have to keep into account some factors like group decisions and they being homogeneous in the collectivistic cultures and they being heterogeneous in the individualistic cultures. Importance of harmony is more for the people who are a part of the collectivistic cultures. Eastern societies prefer and appreciate the importance of families and ethnic groups, for them collectivist majorly classify and associate themselves with such groups, on the other hand individualists are not fond of such groups and family norms and culture. Western societies and culture belief in giving space and moving away from joined families and also typical family culture. Decision making is again different in both the cultures and under individualistic and also collectivistic approaches. Where on one hand collectivistic cultures tend to affect the decision making abilities of people especially in the eastern cultures where there are important set of people like family, friends, colleagues and also few religious groups which have a major impact on the final decision of the people. Under many studies and experiments it was made clear that cross cultural variability is a very important and contributing factor. The society was divided under the dimensions of individualism and collectivism falling under institutional individualism and also collectivism, there was another point falling under in-group individualism and also in-group collectivism. Western society is clearly using the approach of horizontal individualism which is related to the people being unique and people having freedom and right to do whatever thing they like to do which is sometimes referred to them doing their own thing. Vertical individualism is again in light here as it refers to a situation where the people are doing their own things in the best way possible. Eastern culture now follows the situation where the people are assembled together or they merge with the members of the in-groups. Vertical collectivism will also come into view as it is the submission carried out to the authorities which are willing to sacrifice themselves. When we talk about individualism and collectivism, they are seen as having opposite values however both the values are not always conflicting, they can be derived from one another along with one value having a major impact on the other one. Culture is something which is generally extremely stable and it does not change that often, it does not refer to it being constant or not changing at all, the change is not that frequent. Change basically comes from outside sources such as human factors, trade and also few economical and political factors. Information age is something the world has moved towards. Technological advancements have made the world more immune towards products and information. Eastern countries that are more dependent on the collectivistic culture tend to follow the economies which are related to the less developed countries. People who are a part of such culture are more dependent on one another. Collectivistic cultures basically go for social relations which are based on unequal power compared to the individualistic cultures. The relationships are mostly vertical in nature like between parent and child. When we talk about the individualistic cultures, for them the most important thing is horizontal relationships, which is between spouses and also between friends. Referring towards collectivistic cultures there is a lot of interdependence which is between parents and also their children through consistent guidance and consultation along with socializing which involves children and also the private life of the children. For western societies which are following the individualistic cultures emotional detachment takes place along with giving proper independence and privacy for the child. Important question is raised about the marriage which is between individuals which are coming from two kinds of cultures and they can also end up in causing difficulties and problems especially when we talk about the male marriages and they being with the individualistic female. Here the expectation is that spouse to spouse marriages and bond will become stronger as compared to the parent and son bond. In countries following the collectivistic culture mother and son relationship is extremely strong and more important as compared to the spouse to spouse bond. The family priority becomes important here as these things and issues are very delicate and important. It is not a very easy task to solve then and especially in the situations where the assumptions which are made and the bond which is signed is contradictory with each other. When we talk about this the emphasis goes majorly on the people more than on task and it is extremely important in collectivistic cultures and it also refers to the individualistic cultures. When we talk about the eastern culture especially referring to the collectivistic culture, when a friend is going to meet another friend on their way to work, they will stop and chat but when we talk about the individualistic culture such a friend will most probably excuse themselves or probably avoid a meeting. When we talk about the relationships which are particularly with in groups, they are intensive and also interdependent in high collectivistic cultures however some people say that more detachment along with self reliance and distance being specially in individualistic cultures. For eastern societies, especially collectivistic cultures social relations are more important and involuntary in large groups, these are for some time and are temporary and they occur in small groups especially when they are in individualistic cultures and societies. When they are in collectivistic cultures when there is one attempt or paper over conflicts they will go ahead and require illicit behaviors which are not visible to the in-group members. When they are in individualistic culture there are more chances that one of them will go for conflicts openly so that there is no law or proper lawsuits. When we talk about the administrative process, they become very efficient especially the individuals which are particularly encouraged and also they are willing to go ahead and take some important decisions and steps regarding the initiatives which are taken. This is a very important case in collective systems which lead to heavy as well as important decisions. There are very efficient systems especially in the administrations sector where individuals are in a particular system which are encouraged and are also taking some positive steps in order to make better steps and decisions. This does not happen in very highly collective systems which lead to slow as well as heavy bureaucracy. Western countries which are under high degree of individualism will end up in providing higher GDP per capita.This is related to the effects which come under the societies coming under the breeding of individualism which will provide financial benefits coming from the performance and also the productivity which is for the individuals who are highly motivated and also they get incentives so that they can perform and get high compensations in the system which is affordable so that they can pay them. . Now the culture is something which can be pertained to the external objectives and they also have internal subjective under the individual actors and also group of people. The question is a very important one that whether individualistic societies better suit the western culture keeping in mind the independent frame of mind which is adopted there or the eastern societies which majorly go for the collectivistic culture and the set of mind. Countries are fond of adopting the culture which better suit the people’s mind and the living style of the people. Over all we can safely say that cross cultural relationships of the collectivistic societies and also individualistic societies whether it is through the believe of the people along with the culture and the behavior followed by the majority. The efforts of the people are then taken into account and are considered to be very important. Culture barrier and problems also come between the eastern and western societies for them it is very crucial and important aspect which needs to be clearly evaluated. REFERENCE Individualism and Collectivism in Chinese and American Advertisements. (2013, March 1). digitial commons. Retrieved March 1, 2013, from http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1188&context=masters My New Life in Asia: East Meets West: Myths About Collectivism and Individualism. (n.d.). My New Life in Asia. Retrieved March 1, 2013, from http://my-new-life-in-asia.blogspot.com/2013/02/east-meets-west-collectivism-vs-individualism.html Here, t. l., culture, b. A., example, f., idea, i. t., & article., b. s. (n.d.). individualism-collectivism origins east-west divide | MetaFilter. MetaFilter | Community Weblog. Retrieved March 1, 2013, from http://www.metafilter.com/70686/individualismcollectivism-origins-eastwest-divide Zantine., & Art, R. I. (n.d.). Effects of Collectivistic and Individualistic Cultures on Imagination Inflation in Eastern and Western Cultures - Student Pulse.Academic Articles. Online Academic Journal - Student Pulse. Retrieved March 1, 2013, from http://www.studentpulse.com/articles/385/effects-of-collectivistic-and-individualistic-cultures-on-imagination-inflation-in-eastern-and-western-cultures Individualism-Collectivism. (1986, August 9). Harry C. Triandis/C. Harry Hui. Retrieved March 1, 2013, from http://http://blog.shanrizvi.com/2011/07/individualism-versus-collectivism.html Read More