Individualism versus Collectivism Essay

The concepts of individualism and fabianism apply to the verbal description of societies and individuals inwardly the society. Cultures vary in their levels of individualism/ sovietism while individuals within these specific cultures vary on the same dimension. Idiocentric and allocentric atomic number 18 constructs that are rattling important in differentiating consistent variations of an individuals attitudes, beliefs, egotism-definition, normative manner and self-definition. Individualism is termed as the persons level of idiocentric while collectivism is the persons level of allocentric (Udehn, 2001).Idiocentric individuals emphasise more(prenominal) on their confess goals and needs over those of the sort to which they belong. They are much independent and self-reliant. On the other hand, allocentric individuals tip to be more cooperative, interdependent and they also know a stronger desire to partner with others. In addition allocentric and idiocentric individuals dif fer in their source of intimacy and companionship to satisfy their several needs and to beef up their self-esteem. For instance, idiocentric obtains their loving victuals from peers and best friends while allocentrics obtain their friendly support from their parents.Individuals with allocentric tendencies have fewer daily but more in-depth discussions than individuals with idiocentric tendencies. People who discourse more allocentric or idiocentric tendencies vary in various ways. For instance, the people who tend to be more allocentric have good reliability and inter-correlation thus display convergent validity. They are characterized with three main aspects which include individual to group goals, in-group as extension of the self and in-group identity. Individuals who are more idiocentric mainly character equity and need in distributing rewards.Individuals who are more allocentric mainly emphasize on the values of cooperation, fairness and honesty while individuals who are more idiocentric put much emphasis on values of comfortable life, competition, sport and loving recognition. Persons who are allocentric receive much and better quality social support while those who are more idiocentric are usually higher(prenominal) in accomplishment motivation, alienation and greater loneliness. The difference between incorporated and individualist cultures is mainly based on self.In collectivist cultures, the self is more linked to in-group memberships while in individualist cultures self-concept is obtained from independently groups which are based on the varying characteristics and contributions of the individual. In collectivists cultures, there is high alliance to the goals of the in-group and to in-group values and also the maintaining of in-group harmony (Lee & Kelly 1996). In individualistic societies, the aims and the goals of a picky individual are more important and less significance is prone to in-group harmony.Nevertheless, individualism is m ainly based on Western cultures while collectivism is related with Eastern cultures. Collectivistic cultures have lower rates of suicide, psychopathology and relatively higher marital satisfaction than individualistic cultures. I recall myself to be idiocentric. This is because I always concentrate on my own goals and achievement over those of the other people and I carry out my tasks independently. I normally display a different tendency towards the allocentric.For instance, in do purchase of highlife brands, I purchase goods for my own sake pleasures ad interests while the allocentric purchase the luxury brands only with an aim of seeking social recognition (McCarthy, 2005). As a result of these differences, conflict and misunderstanding emerges. This is because as a personally propel consumer, I will purchase the luxury brands for self-interests while on the other hand an allocentric individual who is socially motivated will make the purchase of luxury brands with an aim of seeking social recognition.