Individual vs. Collective

Culture has a definite impact on human psychology. Of course, this impact differs depending upon the individual, but there are general trends in psychology that can be identified related to the cultural structure that individuals find themselves within. There exists a clear cultural dichotomy between individualist and collectivists cultures. Individuals who grow up in a collectivist culture sometimes experience difficulties assimilating to an individualist culture. The same can be said for those who grow up in an individualist culture and move to a collectivist culture. This paper examines the difficulties in addressing the psychological issues which may arise in a client who grew up in a collectivist culture and is attempting to assimilate to an individualist environment. A general comparison between the psychology of individualist and collectivist culture will be included. 

Psychology of Individualist Cultures

There are certain traits that an individualistic culture emphasizes. For those who are not used to living in a nation which embraces individualism, these traits can be hard to both cultivate and maintain (Hui & Triandis, 1986). For example, individualists cultures tend to promote self-guidance in life. Major decisions such as what career to pursue and who to form relationships with are left up to the individual. Also, individual success is typically held in higher regard than collective success. The condition of self-reliance and financial stability is seen as something to aspire to. Also, there is more freedom in the personal realm. For instance, individuals are encouraged or at least free to pursue their own interests in regards to fashion, music, film, and other forms of personal expression and art. Tradition, especially traditions which discourage freedom of choice, are not as important to people in individualistic cultures as compared to collectivist cultures (Hofstede & Hofstede, 2001). This creates a unique psychological environment wherein the direction of one’s life is determined by personal desire rather than a need to conform to specific social standards.

Psychology of Collectivist Cultures 

Collectivist cultures place a special emphasis on conformity, specifically conformity in regards to social tradition and morality (Hofstede & Hofstede, 2001). Major life decisions are often determined by family or class. For example, children may be groomed from a young age to pursue a specific occupation. Also, young adults may engage in predetermined relationships that are arranged in order to maintain the social order. Individual pursuits in regards to fashion and art that is not in line with the expectations of society are discouraged (Hui & Triandis, 1986). Much of the personal direction in one’s life is eliminated and replaced with a rigid series of standards which create the bounds of one’s actions and personal pursuits. 

Collectivist Clients

Collectivist clients may have difficulties when assimilating in an individualistic culture. This is linked to the fact that much of the direction in the client’s life is removed once they enter an individualist society. For example, the standards of conformity that once determined what social group the client should pursue are eliminated and replaced with freedom of choice. The client may find it difficult to reconcile their internal need for conformity with the expectation of self-reliance found in the individualistic culture. It may be difficult for a therapist who developed their perception of society in an individualistic culture to understand the problems that arise in the mind of a collectivistic client. These differences may be resolved however through the development of an understanding of life in collectivist social structures. Once this understanding is gained. The therapist may begin the process of identifying those collectivist thought patterns which are causing the client difficulties. Some of these difficulties may include an inability to develop personal relationships as well as a fear of pursuing personal interests.

References

Hofstede, G. H., & Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture's consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions and organizations across nations. Thousand Oaks CA: Sage.

Hui, C. H., & Triandis, H. C. (1986). Individualism-collectivism a study of cross-cultural researchers. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 17(2), 225-248.