Question

Explain individualistic culture, collectivist culture, and “tight or loose” culture, providing the main characteristics for each culture and supporting your answer with examples and citations from recent published articles (950-1000 words, 60 marks)

Answer 1

Individualistic Culture:

Individualistic cultures are those that stress the needs of the individual over the needs of the group as a whole. In this type of culture people are seen as independent and autonomous. It also encourages the autonomy.

Example: When you support youself and stand alone for financial purpose and not depending anyone for meeting the financial needs will be a good example for individualism.

Characteristics:

• Independent
• Self-interest
• Self-reliant
• Achievement oriented
• Direct
• Competitive

Collectivist Culture:

It is just opposite to the Individualist culture. which means, the culture emphasize the needs and goals of the group as a whole over the needs and wishes of each individual. There should always be a interconnection between the people in the group.

Example: Children in this type of society will know the values and beliefs and also take care of their parents. They will change all their plans for their parents if the parents become ill or they need some help by the children.

Characteristics:

• Connected
• Socially interdependent
• Self sacrificing for others
• Cooperative
• Equalitarian
• Traditional
• Self controlled

Tight and Loose cultures:

Tight culture are those in which social norms are tight or rigid and formal. In this culture the social norms are clearly defined.

Example: Japan, France, India china etc..

Loose Culture are those which social norms are flexible and informal.In this culture the individuals are behave according to their own preferences.

Example: Australia, United States, New Zealand etc..

Characteristics:

• It will clarify the expectations
• Practice the accountability
• Understand the meaning of trust
• Create the transperancy