COLLECTIVISM VERSUS INDIVIDUALISM

Presented By
Anele Mzinyati 214192180
Monwabisi Xinwa 209118075
 TABLE OF CONTENT

 DEFINITION OF TERMS
 INDIVIDUALISM“ME”CONSCIOUNESS
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF INDIVIDUALISM
 COLLECTIVISM “WE” CONSCIOUSNESS
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF COLLECTIVISM
 Contrasting values
 ATTRIBUTIONS FOR BEHAVIOUR
 Individualist Pattern
 Collectivist pattern
 Summary
 INTRODUCTION
Individualism–collectivism dimension of culture describes the
relationships individuals have in each culture. In individualistic societies,
individuals look after themselves and their immediate family only whereas
in collectivistic cultures, individuals belong to groups that look after
them in exchange for loyalty.
 DEFINITION OF
TERMS
Individualism
•Is where by one’s focuses on themselves, and their family. individual
uniqueness and self-determination is valued.
Collectivism
•Is where by one’s trust is upon his member, or where by members are
concerned more on groups than themselves.
 INDIVIDUALISM“ME”CONSCIOUNESS

They put themselves first.

Loosely linked to each other.
Motivated by their ideas and goals.
Emphasis is placed on the self(whether its self
help, self sufficiency, self actualization).
Communicates as individuals and pay little
attention to a person’s group membership.
 INDIVIDUALISM(CONT…)

Decision making is decided upon whether if its best

for the individual.
Individual rights are taken and seen as most
important one’s.

“It’s a value that says if you have to choose between what you want to
do and others want you to do, you simple do what you want to do.”
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF INDIVIDUALISM
ADVANTAGES
Multidimensional Culture
Members within an individualistic society
share many characteristics; however,
they also have the freedom to be
different.
Self-Sufficiency
Individualism fosters the ability to
perform well individually and find
strength within themselves to
overcome obstacles.
DISADVANTAGES
Individualism does not allow for other
people(s) to experience that person's talents
or creativity. Learning to cooperate with
others is what builds character, friendship,
and important life skills.
They have more problems with finding good
friends, because they don’t care about
others’ opinions. It can lead to difficulties
with social life.
COLLECTIVISM “WE” CONSCIOUSNESS
Feel closely linked to one or more groups by living closely linked to
themselves.
Commitment to valued groups(family and extended families,
organizations is important to them).
In collectivistic cultures a direct confrontation will always be avoided.
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF COLLECTIVISM

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Allow for more jobs and consensus or Some members tend to be lazy if
achievement is what is needed by the there are too many group members.
community
Each one take care and help one
another to fulfill a certain goal.
 CONTRASTING VALUES

Individual:
1. Independent—free, control over
one’s life
2. Goals—striving for one’s own goals
and achievements
3. Compete—personal competition and
success
4. Unique—focus on one’s own unique
characteristics
5. Private self-knowledge—keeping
one’s thoughts private from others
6. Direct communication—stating
clearly what one wants and needs
Collectivism:
1. Related—consider close others as part
of the self
2. Belong—enjoy belonging to groups
3. Duty—being willing to make sacrifices
as a group member
4. Harmony—concern for group harmony
5. Advice—turning to close others for help
with decisions
6. Group—preference for working in groups
 ATTRIBUTIONS FOR BEHAVIOUR

Collectivist cultural values with their focus on

groups, place heavier emphasis on situational
influences.

Individualist cultural values with their

individual uniqueness, place emphasis on
personal characteristics.
 INDIVIDUALIST PATTERN

CHILDREN RAISED AS
INDIVIDUALISTS MAY BE JUST AS
CLOSE TO THEIR FAMILIES AS A
CHILD RAISED IN A COLLECTIVE
SETTING, BUT THEY DRAW THE
BOUNDARIES DIFFERENTLY: IN
CASE OF A CONFLICT, THEY MAY
FEEL MORE FREE TO CHOOSE THEIR
INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCE. DUTY,
HONOR, AND DEFERENCE TO
AUTHORITY ARE LESS PROMINENT
FOR THOSE WITH INDIVIDUALIST
STARTING POINTS THAN
COLLECTIVE ONES.
 COLLECTIVIST PATTERN

CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT THAT THEY ARE PART OF A CIRCLE OF

RELATIONS.

THIS IDENTITY AS A MEMBER AS A MEMBER OF A GROUP COMES

FIRST, SUMMED IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN IDEA OF UBUNTU: “I AM
BECAUSE WE ARE”.
 CONCLUSION

These definitions give you a framework and some

guidelines for understanding, and it’s up to you to
have the discussions to learn how people really are.