Individualism and collectivism

Individualism : Collectivism ; interdependence

by Sri Wahyuningsih

v  Introduction

This paper submitted to fulfil the final test of  Cross Cultural Understanding. It’s about individualism in western and collectivism or interdependence in eastern especially indonesia. 

Cultures are typically divided into two categories: collectivist and individualist. Individualist cultures, such as those of the United States and Western Europe, emphasize personal achievement regardless of the expense of group goals, resulting in a strong sense of competition. Collectivist cultures, such as those of China, Korea, and Japan, indonesia  emphasize family and work group goals above individual needs or desires.

v  The meaning of the statement

Individualism, as the name indeed suggests, describes the human characteristic of on a deep level thinking in a way where the individual self is prioritized rather than a social institution such as a family, workplace or society when compared to an individual who is more collectivistic..

Collectivism, in contrast to individualism, describes the human characteristic of on a deep level thinking in a way where the social institution or group, such as a family, workplace or even entire society, is prioritized higher than the individual self when compared to an individual who is more individualistic.

v  Comparison between western and indonesian culture

Western live in individualism way. They concern more to themselves. In individualist cultures, individual uniqueness and self-determination is valued. A person is all the more admirable if they are a "self-made man" or "makes up their own mind" or show initiative or work well independently. They are quiet and realistic, very rational, extremely matter of fact people. They strongly cultivate their individualism and enjoy applying their abilities to new tasks. But they are also very spontaneous and impulsive persons who like to follow their sudden inspirations. Individualism promotes individual goals, initiative and achievement.Individual rights are seen as being the most important. Rules attempt to ensure self-importance . Independence is valued; there is much less of a drive to help other citizens or communities than in collectivism. Relying or being dependent on others is frequently seen as shameful. People are encouraged to do things on their own; to rely on themselves. They will directly say no to the something they disagree or when they reject something. Also, the religion and family is not the most important thing for them. We can see that most people who has reached 17 years old want to separated from the family and there are lots of people who has no religion or atheist.

      Meanwhile, Indonesian culture is more about group thinking or what we called as collectivism. People in indonesia concentrate on family, religion, society. Here, people can’t do anything they want if it’s not good for the group or family. Indonesia is the biggest moslem country in the world which make it’s influenced by religion especially islam. Expressions or phrases are used which describe a disagreement or negative statement instead of saying no. So, people like to keep other’s feeling by saying phrases than just directly say no. Each person is encouraged to be an active player in society, to do what is best for society as a whole rather than themselves.. Rules promote unity, brotherhood, and selflessness. They like to work with others and cooperate is the norm; everyone supports each other. As a community, family or nation more than as an individual

v  Discussion / explanation

What I think about individualism in western. First things are not balck or white. Western are individualistic in some ways, they are always told to achieve happiness for example, for ourselves, "this will make you happy" People hear, instead of "if your people are happy, you will be happy" but again  traditional figures like family or belonging to a group are still very important in western countries.

Individualism  have good sides, like enhence competition which make people more creative and more hardworking.it has been enormous success in encouraging people to realize their potential and their inner depths.  People are also more free to do what they really love or to think freely. To be individuals makes people more independent, strong and not depend on someone’s else. Western can do anything on their own way without anyone. The bad sides are alienation, divisiveness and the split of the family loose of some values abandonment of the elderies who become burden in their society. Then, of course the consequence become individuals is people need to deal with the loneliness.

Individualism actually derived from the christian idea that God could live in individuals, and that each life was therefore precious. Individualsm is not at all selfish. It’s moral and social processes which nothing less than humanity’s quest for personal freedom and responsible expression.

On contrary, I think collectivism have good sides, like working with others and cooperating is the norm which make the harmony in society, everyone supports each other, people really care about you, you will always close to your family , strong brotherhood, and selflessness.. For example, when you failed on achieve something, your family and your friend will accompany you and make like nothing happend to you. The bad sides are people in collectivist cultures can have a strong fear of rejection, they mostly depend each others which make they work slowly, they can’t do anything as they want if it’s not good for the name of family. Then, because people really care about other’s business sometimes they can’t really have privacy. Also, people will think that you’re weird if you do something all by yourself, even when you walk alone on the street, they will stare and talk behind you. Sometimes, people can’t see or develop their potential because they afraid of rejection from the elders.

The stereotype of a 'good person' in collectivist cultures is trustworthy, honest, generous, and sensitive, all characteristics that are helpful to people working in groups. In contrast, a 'good person' in individualist cultures is more assertive and strong, characteristics helpful for competing.

v  Conclution

The conclution is that everthing has the positive sides and the negatives sides. Individualism in western make the people independent, do and think freely, concern more to themselves but they have to deal with lonelines. Then, collectivism in eastern make the people have strong brotherhood, selflessness, close to the family but people can’t do and think whatever they want, they hard to see their own potential, have a big fear of rejection, they have to think more about the family and society than their own self.