Cultural Conflict - Individualism vs. Collectivism

1. In a collectivist culture, what personality traits are likely to be considered ideal? What about in an individualistic culture?

In collectivist cultures, traits such as loyalty, cooperation, respect, obedience, and other interpersonal, communicative, or socially beneficial traits are held in high esteem. In individualistic cultures, characteristics like perseverance, independence, and ambition are seen as ideal.

2. In some societies, your opinion is less likely to be challenged if you are from the oldest family in such a community or if you are the PhD with the most published books in your university. Do you think this is true for both individualistic and collectivist societies? If so, do you think status is defined the same way in both types of cultures? Explain.

For the most part, yes it is true.  Status is defined by accomplishment in both cultures, but the key is what type of accomplishment. For individualism, it's entirely about self-promotion and self-worth. However, collectivism focuses on society as a whole, and those with higher status are those who have provided for the entire community best and have given more to help society.

3. Create a specific conflict that may occur when a teacher from an individualistic culture goes to teach in a collectivist society or when a teacher from a collectivist culture goes to teach in an individualistic society. Identify the conflict as internal or external. Explain what clash of values caused the conflict and how it may be received.

An individualistic teacher might feel it fitting to congratulate individual members of a classroom on a test they scored particularly well on. However, other students and parents will most definitely be offended by what they perceive as a lack of respect and recognition for the rest of the class, which they see as sharing in the student's accomplishments.

4. What is an acquaintance? Does the word have a positive or negative connotation?

An acquaintance is an individual one knows on a casual basis in that while one is not close friends with them, they are (for the most part) on a first name basis and comfortable interacting. It's not a strong connection, but retains a positive connotation in that it still implies a certain level of friendship and trust.