Cultures that differ

CULTURES THAT DIFFERA Deeper Look at Collectivism and Individualism

… is the shared, personal, and learned life experiences of a group of individuals who have a common set of values, norms and traditions.

IPC2 Pages 53-54

COLLECTIVISM WHAT IS IT?

Collectivism is a cultural mind-set that emphasizes the group and the groups norms, values and beliefs.

This type of culture values the group and not the individual.

IPC2 Page 63

INDIVIDUALISM WHAT IS IT?

Individualism is a cultural mind-set that emphasizes self-concept and

personal achievement. In this culture the individual is valued over the

group. Competition over cooperation and private over the public.

IPC2 Page 63

CURRENT COUNTRIES WITHIN EACH

CULTURE

Collectivism IndividualismJapanIndonesiaAfghanistanGreeceArgentinaBrazilDominican Republic

Ghana

United StatesAustraliaUnited KingdomItalyBelgiumIrelandSpain

Germany

IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE…

Research shows that there is a level of individualism and collectivism in all cultures. This means that though Japan may be primarily collectivist, they most likely have adopted some individualistic ways of communicating.

With this in mind we can safely analyze further.

COLLECTIVISM AS A HIGH-CONTEXT

CULTUREHigh-Context Cultures such as collectivistic cultures, are known for their way of depending more on body language and actions, rather than direct verbal interpersonal communication.

Many messages between people are often purposefully simple and ambiguous to protect the other party from embarrassment.

Title, S. (2007). Communicating Across Cultures. San Diego Business Journal, 28(14), 14.

INDIVIDUALISM AS A LOW-CONTEXT

CULTURELow-Context Cultures such as individualistic cultures, are known for communicating through direct verbal and written words.

Many messages between people are elaborate, detailed and specific, with little room for ambiguity.


PERSONALITY ORIENTATION

Allocentrism: a collectivistic personality attribute whereby people center their attention and actions on other people rather than themselves.

Idiocentrism: characterized by or denoting interest centered upon oneself or one's own ways.

Collectivist cultures coincide quite nicely with allocentrism. They value the in-group norms and don’t even raise a question when it comes to accepting them. Decisions are made based on the group self and not on the private self.

Individualist cultures typically value idiocentrism. It’s normal to do their own thing and often feel ambivalent or bitter when it comes to accepting the in-group norms. They would rather stand out, be bold or even stand alone. "Cross-Cultural Communication." Cross-Cultural and Intercultural Communication. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 11-12. Print.

SELF-DISCLOSURE

Self-disclosure is information about the self, shared intentionally, that another would have trouble finding out without being told.

Collectivistic cultures such as Japan, reported self-disclosing significantly less than the American Individualist counterparts. Furthermore, Americans disclose information with less caution than do the Japanese. This points to the idea that the collectivist Japanese care more about the effects on the relationship self-disclosure can have, than do Americans.

Kito, M. (2005). Self-disclosure in romantic relationships and friendships among American and Japanese college students. The Journal Of Social Psychology, 145(2), 127-140.

UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE

Uncertainty avoidance indicates how tolerant (or intolerant) a culture is of uncertainty and change.

The collectivistic cultures generally have high levels of anxiety when it comes to change and desire predictability. Because of this, they like rules and regulations that guide behaviors. They do not like uncertainty.

Individualistic cultures tend to be more relaxed when it comes to uncertainty and are usually comfortable taking risks and making decisions with uncertain outcomes.

IPC2 Page 61

PROXEMICS

Proxemics: is the study of how people use, manipulate, and identify their personal space.

Typically, in a collectivistic culture, close contact and touching is encouraged. In an individualistic culture; however, this can be judged as homosexual or offensive behavior.

Tips for Handling Inter-Cultural Communication Differences

Instead of searching for the meaning within words, seek out the meaningwithin the individual. It’s easy to assume someone is being inconsiderateor rude when we don’t understand their culture or they don’t understandours.Be prepared to accept and tolerate differences of another culture. The thingsthat we find weird or peculiar, may very well be the things that make up thevery substance of that culture. You can do this by listening and analyzing without expectations.Be mindful of the words that you are saying and the body language you are saying it with. Try to be clear without disclosing too much, too fast. It’s okay to reciprocate the communication patterns of the other.

Do your research prior to submerging yourself into another culture physically.If it happens without plan, then go with it and try your best to be considerateand understanding. Hopefully things don’t go to astray and communication issuccessful.

Saito-Fukunaga M. GENERAL SEMANTICS AND INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION. ETC: A Review Of General Semantics [serial online]. Winter1989 1989;46(4):295-298. Available from: Education Research Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed May 7, 2016.

Works Cited


Kito, M. (2005). Self-disclosure in romantic relationships and friendships among American and Japanese college students. The Journal Of Social Psychology, 145(2), 127-140.

"Cross-Cultural Communication." Cross-Cultural and Intercultural Communication. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 11-12. Print.

Saito-Fukunaga M. GENERAL SEMANTICS AND INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION. ETC: A Review Of General Semantics [serial online]. Winter1989 1989;46(4):295-298. Available from: Education Research Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed May 7, 2016.

I chose this topic because I felt I could find correlations between

individualistic cultures and collectivistic cultures as it relates to interpersonal communication. The

fact is, the world has become such a melting pot of people and cultures, that just using these two mind-sets

as a topic was probably a little restrictive.

What do you think?

Have you ever experienced a culture that was nearly 100% individualistic

or collectivistic?If so, what made you come to that

conclusion, and if not, well, what do you think stands between a culture

being 100% one or the other?

Presentations & Public Speaking

Cultures that differ