Impacts of Individualism and Collectivism on Personal Relationship between China and US

Li Na

Abstract：Recent developments in globalization have led to a renewed interest in cultural dimensions. Individualism and collectivism， suggested as the most significant concepts of cultural dimensions， have been theoretically analyzed by many scholars and linked to fields like management， cross-culture communication， etc. This paper mainly explores how individualism-collectivism influence personal relationships of Chinese and Americans， then analyzes the differences under the influences of cultures. In accordance with the fact analysis， this paper provides valuable reference for cross-culture learners to better understand how peoples in two countries deal with their relationships， and for those who need to deal with international interaction to enhance cooperation while reduce the cultural conflicts.

Keywords： Individualism and Collectivism； Cultural difference； Personal relationship； China and the US.

As Earley （1998） suggested that “a key distinguishing characteristic of work behavior in societies is the way in which members relate to one another as a group” and individuals are related to others by individualism-collectivism. This article will further explore the definitions of individualism-collectivism， and then discover how cultural dimensions influence the in-group characteristics in various aspects.

1.Definition of Individualism and Collectivism

About the notion of individualism and collectivism， Hofstede （1980） described that people with various kinships and blood ties but kept close linkages as collectivism. In contrast， individualism had a loose linkage among individuals which stressed independence and self-obligation. In general， “collectivism is associated with Eastern culture while individualism is associated with Western culture” （Forbes， Zhang， Doroszewicz & Haas， 2009； Triandis， 1995）. In a collectivistic culture， an individual is closely related to his in-group memberships. Such point is in accord with Chinese Confucianism and “wu lun” （Farh， Earley & Lin， 1997）. These five relationships （emperor-subject， husband-wife， parent-child， older brother-younger brother， and older friend-younger friend） “hierarchically guide the definition and actions of a person in relation to a larger social order” （Earley & Gibson， 1998）.

2.Manifestation of Individualism and Collectivism

The manifestation of individualism and collectivism can be seen from aspects of the self， activities， attitudes， values and behaviors （Triandis， Brislin & Hui， 1988）. The ideal in individualist cultures is that the self is an independent individual who is responsible for himself. Individualists give utmost attention to their personal privacy， freedom， and equality， and they insist on self-reliance and self-expression. While the collectivist cultures believe that the self exists in a certain in-group （e.g.， family， region， nation） and shares responsibility for his in-group. Individualists usually pay less attention on speaking context but focus on expressing personal ideas and telling the truth； while collectivists care much about harmony and avoid confrontations and they even tell white lies to maintain peace.

3.Differences between American individualism and Chinese Collectivism

（1）Family

A traditional Chinese extended family is usually made of three or four generations who live together. The senior in the family are the leaders who make the rules and maintain the harmony of the family. A typical example in modern China is that the grandparents usually take responsibility of taking care of grandson when parents are busy working. .

In contrast， a typical American family is a nuclear one which only contains parents and their children. The parents have obligations to raise their children till they are grow-ups. Its impossible in America that grandparents help parents to look after children or live together. They believe enjoy life rather than sacrifice to family in their later years.

（2）Marriage

In China， a relationship is set up on basis of concern. Lovers should concern about family backgrounds， ages and a lot of factors. When a relationship develops into a marriage， the couple would try to maintain their marriage as long as possible even they dont love each other anymore.

Americans attitudes towards relationship is wonder. They are encouraged to involve in different relationships to find the most suitable one. Their marriages are on the basis of love and equality. If the love does not exist anymore， the marriage will end..

（3）Education

Chinese education focuses on rules and conclusions. Children are taught to think in terms of “we”. The teachers and parents will help children make decision for their future. While Americans show respect to childrens rights. Children are educated to think in terms of “I” and make decisions by themselves through several attempts.

4.Conclusion

Individualism and collectivism do have a deep influence in peoples values and behaviors. The purpose of the current study is to assist the intercultural interaction and hope to provide valuable reference for further research on impacts of individualism and collectivism.

Reference：

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[4]Earley， P. C. & Gibson， C. B.Taking stock in our progress on individualism-collectivism： 100 years of solidarity and community[N]. Journal of Management，1998，24（3）：265-304.