Individualistic Culture and Behavior

Culture is one factor that can influence how people think and behave. Cross-cultural psychologists often categorize cultures into two main types: individualistic culture and collectivist culture.

In this type of culture, people are seen as independent and autonomous. Social behavior tends to be dictated by the attitudes and preferences of individuals. Cultures in North America and Western Europe tend to be individualistic.

Individualistic Culture Traits

Chances are you have probably heard the terms individualistic and collectivist cultures before, often in the context of noting behavior and attitude differences between the two types of societies. So what exactly makes individualistic cultures different from collectivist ones?

A few common characteristics of individualistic cultures include:

• Being dependent upon others is often considered shameful or embarrassing
• Independence is highly valued
• Individual rights take center stage
• People often place a greater emphasis on standing out and being unique
• People tend to be self-reliant
• The rights of individuals tend to take a higher precedence

A few countries that are considered individualistic cultures include the United States, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, and Australia.

Individualistic vs. Collectivist Cultures

Individualist cultures are frequently compared and contrasted with more collectivist cultures. Collectivist culture stresses the importance of the group and social cooperation.

Where people in collectivist cultures might be more likely to turn to family and friends for support during difficult times, those living in individualist cultures are more likely to go it alone.

Individualistic cultures stress that people should be able to solve problems or accomplish goals on their own without having to rely on assistance from others. People are often expected to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps" when they encounter setbacks.

Contrast this with a collectivist culture where people might sacrifice their own comfort for the greater good of everyone else. Such differences can influence nearly every aspect of behavior ranging from the career a person chooses, the products they buy, and the social issues that they care about.

Approaches to health care, for example, are influenced by these tendencies. Individualist cultures stress the importance of each person taking care of themselves without depending on others for assistance. Those in collectivist cultures may instead stress sharing the burden of care with the group as a whole.

Individualistic Culture and Behavior

The effect that culture has on individual behavior is a major topic of interest in the field of cross-cultural psychology. Cross-cultural psychologists study how different cultural factors influence individual behavior. They often focus on things that are universal among different cultures of the world, as well as differences among societies.

One interesting phenomenon that cross-cultural psychologists have observed is how people from individualist cultures describe themselves compared to how those from collectivist cultures describe themselves.

People from individualist societies have self-concepts that are more focused on independence rather than interdependence. As a result, they tend to describe themselves in terms of their unique personal characteristics and traits.

Just how much do these self-descriptions vary depending on culture? Research conducted by Ma and Schoenemann found that 60% of Kenyans (a collectivist culture) described themselves in terms of their roles within groups while 48% of Americans (an individualist culture) used personal characteristics to describe themselves.

Pros and Cons of Individualist Culture

Individualist culture can have both strengths and weaknesses. On the plus side, this type of culture tends to promote strong self-esteem, confidence, and self-sufficiency. Research has found that people from individualistic cultures tend to exhibit greater well-being.

However, individualist culture can also have downsides. People from such cultures tend to experience greater stress, have less social support, and have less prosocial behavior. People from these cultures are not only less likely to help others; they are also less likely to ask for help when they need it.

A Word From Verywell

Psychologists have become more aware of the powerful influence that culture can have on individual and group behavior. In order to understand just how strong these influences can be, it is essential to look at both the similarities and differences between collectivist and individualist cultures.

While individualistic culture can promote high self-confidence and individual ambition, it may also lead to a higher risk of conflict and lack of cooperation among group members. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of an individualistic culture can help psychologists develop treatments and programs that are suited to the people who live in that culture.