Western Conceptualizations 39
Table 2
Societal Norms Associated with Individualism and Collectivism
Individualism Collectivism
•
People to care for self and
immediate family
•
Loyal to extended families or clans
that protect them
•
“I” consciousness
•
“we” consciousness
•
self-orientation
•
collectivity-orientation
•
identity based in the individual
•
identity based in the social system
•
emotional independence of
individual from organizations or
institutions
•
emotional dependence of individual
on organizations and institutions
•
emphasis on individual initiative
and achievement
•
emphasis on belonging to
organization and affiliation
•
right on a private life and opinion
•
private life subordinate to
organizational goals and interests;
opinions predetermined
•
autonomy, variety, pleasure,
individual financial security
•
expertise, order, duty, security
provided by organization or clan
•
need for specific friendship
•
friendship predetermined by stable
relationships
•
decisions to be made individually
•
decisions to be made by the group
Convention