Collectivism Vs Individualism

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The first basic issue confronting all societies is to define the nature of the relation between the individual and the group. This dimension is frequently labeled as individualism versus collectivism (Hofstede, 1980, 1991). In cultures at the Conservatism pole of the dimension, Schwartz (1994) noted that the person is viewed as embedded in a collectivity, finding meaning in life largely through social relationships, through identifying with the group and participating in its shared way of life. Schwartz (1999) noted that this value type emphasizes maintenance of the status quo, propriety, and restraint of actions or inclinations that might disrupt the solitary group or the traditional order. Exemplary specific values are social order, respect …show more content…

Schwartz (1999) redefined Intellectual Autonomy as a cultural emphasis on the desirability of individuals independently pursuing their own ideas and intellectual directions. Conservatism, Intellectual Autonomy and Affective Autonomy related values appear in Figure 11. Figure 1 The Position of the Countries on their Conservatism Index versus their Intellectual Autonomy …show more content…

(1994). Beyond Individualism/Collectivism: New Cultural Dimensions of Values. In U.Kim, H.C. Triandis, C. Kagitcibasi, S. Choi & G. Yoon (Eds.). Individualism and Collectivism: Theory, Method, and Applications. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, pp. 112-115. Figure 1 demonstrates the position of the countries in the Conservatism Index versus Intellectual Autonomy Index scale. In the light of this dimension results demonstrated that Spain and Germany have the weakest Conservatism Index (3.42) where Bulgaria has the strongest (4.43). However, Bulgaria has the weakest Intellectual Autonomy Index (3.78) where Spain has the strongest (4.90). Affective Autonomy emphasizes the individual’s independent pursuit of affectively positive experience (pleasure, exciting life, varied life) (Smith & Schwartz, 1997). Schwartz (1999) redefined Affective Autonomy as a cultural emphasis on the desirability of individuals independently pursuing affectively positive experience. Figure 2 The Position of the Countries on their Conservatism Index versus their Affective Autonomy

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