Thursday, October 20, 2011

Week 9 Question 3

Collectivism is just the opposite of individualism, "people believe it is right to subordinate personal goals for the good of others". Collectivists believe that identity that is shared is much more important than the identity of a specific person. Many will argue that people feel differently about the collectivist-individualist continuum. "In Bali, they report, a person is referred to by his or her position in the family", for example "the mother of" so and so, or the "2nd daughter of" so and so. In China the last name comes first, rather than being Sally Smith, it would be Smith Sally. In the cultures that are more individualist, the first name comes first and the last name comes last. We tend to live in a more individualist culture and our first names come first and last comes last. Culture differences can be very wide in range or very small in range. In this sense, collectivism is based on people in a group rather than focusing on the individual their self.
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2 comments:

  1. lovec130sOctober 21, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    I grew up in a small town that is a lot like what you described happens in Bali. Everyone knows my last name and my dad. It felt like i never had a first name. I was "Ed's daughter" or a "Hulbert". Now that i'm married, i can't use my married name to get anything done if i go back home. If it's the pharmacy or the car dealership, i have to use my maiden name for anyone to know who i am, and usually that isn't enough, but "Ed's daughter" works like a charm. :) I suppose that even though we live in a predominantly individualistic culture, there are times when a community can be collectivist.

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  2. atapolskiOctober 21, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    I can see how this topic can catch the interest of many. I am a strong supporter of the individualist beliefs. But of course that could be due to the culture and lifestyle I was raised. Though I would not say that I disagree with the collectivist belief, I merely believe that all people are their own individual and should be allowed to be as such. When we deny an individual their freedom to be themselves we minimize diversity. And with diversity I find that it is easier to catch mistakes in our decision making and at least attempt to maintain fairness among the people.

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