Individualism Vs Collectivism Essay

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Individualism and Collectivism

In the diverse world in which we live, each country has its own identity and culture. In fact, a culture has its own languages, traditions, customs and social particularities. We can therefore assume that the relationships between individuals change from culture to culture because of cultural distinctions such as impressionism and individualism. Indeed, in a collectivist culture, individuals see themselves as a part of a group, while in an individualist culture individuals are independents from the community. Therefore explaining the differences between a collectivist and an individualist culture with the examples of the United States and the Ivory Coast can help any sociology class student to understand how …show more content…

For instance, in the Ivory Coast, the group goal prevails. Indeed, individuals share a common goal and work for the group or organization’s success. Oscar Rudenstam in his article “Individualism vs Collectivism” points out that in a collectivist culture as the one in the Ivory Coast, the workplace is prioritized higher than the individual self. This mindset means that individuals are more likely to put the institution’s interests before their own and work together to achieve the institution’s goal. In fact, the Ivory Coast motto “Union- Discipline- Work’’ best illustrate this point. On the other hand, in the United States, the individual goal and the “self-made man’’ concept are pronounced. In the same article “Individualism vs Collectivism”, Rudenstam comments that “it is typical of an individual who is relatively individualistic to prioritize individual ambitions to a higher degree and strive to fulfill such ambitions’’. Rudenstam believe that an individualistic individual tends to value self accomplishment more. The individual is the only person responsible for his success and achievements. A collectivist culture which promotes and work for the institution’s success opposes an individualist culture where individuals are focus on achieving their personal

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