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Individualism vs Collectivism

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Individualism vs Collectivism
Individualism and Collectivism Culture

Abstract
This essay discusses different aspects of Individualism and collectivism culture. Although every culture is different, Individualist and collectivism have a different implication for social organization. In this essay I able use my personal experience as a foreigner to help the readers understand the subject. In addition to the research I have done I was able to find information to help me fully understand how the two concepts impacted different countries such as the U.S.A, China and Burkina Faso.

There are about a hundred and nighty-six countries on this planet, each one of them has a variety of cultures and traditions. Cultures are typically divided into two categories: collectivist and individualist. Individualist cultures, such as those of the United Sates and Western Europe, value personal achievement resulting in a strong sense of competition. Collectivist cultures, such as those of China, Korea, and Japan, emphasize family and work group goals above individual needs or desires. From a personal preference I would prefer a collectivist society but orders of social behavior change from culture to culture. I will now explain my experience coming in the United States to study. Being an international student from Burkina Faso, a country that has more than sixty ethnic groups with all different languages and dialects. I myself speak three languages, Mooré my first and French second.
The Western cultures are more individualist than collectivist Eastern cultures. The United States is considered to be an individualist country, so when I first got here, the transfer was very hard. I met American friends at U.G.A, despite been very nice it was hard sometimes to understand each other, as our cultures are different. The terms individualism and collectivism are usually used to express different cultures. An individualistic culture is where individuals are said to be bounded, autonomous, distinct from others,



References: Kanchier, C. (2007, May 12). Are you part of collective?; we are not all individualism. How you view your-self influences how you relate to others at work. The Gazette, p. 1. Kim U. & Trandis H. C. & Choi S. C. (1994). Individualism and collectivism. United States of America: SAGE. Mascolo M. F. & Li J. (2004). Culture and development selves: beyond dichotomization. San Francisco: Wiley company. NationMaste. (2003-2013). Luke Metcalfe. Retrieved from: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/peo_div_rat-people-divorce-rate Parker R. S., Haytko D. L., & Hermans C. M., (2009). Individualism and Collectivism: Reconsidering old Assumptions. Sen, L. H. (2004, May 7). Society needs individualism. The Straits Times, p. 1.

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