Collectivism

Individualism and collectivism are complex cross-cultural constructs and have both been defined in numerous ways by previous researchers (e.g. Hofstede, 2001; Kagitçibasi, 1997; Oyserman et al., 2002). Typical attributes associated with individualism are usually independence, autonomy, self-reliance, competition and uniqueness. Individuals are educated to have control over and taking responsibilities for their actions. Collectivism, on the other hand, emphasizes on a sense of duty within groups,…

Collectivistic Government Fails Is the system of government deemed as corrupt? Is it true that people are created equal? Is collectivism more important and better than the individual? The novella Anthem by Ayn Rand features a man by the name of Equality 7-2521 who lives in a dystopian society and he’s held back due to his superior brain power. He is forced into a job that no one would want, such as street sweeper to force him down the totem pole. In the short story “Harrison Bergeron”, Harrison…

hand, if a culture is more individualistic, the members will be more concerned with a personal independence (Neuliep, 2014, p. 50). Mass media are large contributors to this decision of collectivism vs. individualism. For example, in British mass media, the media channels influence the shift from collectivism to individualism because most television programs are produced in individualistic cultures (Triandis, McCusker, & Hui, 1990). This is not just seen in British mass media either. One of…

Summary Researcher Harry Triandis conducted countless studies in an attempt to discover the impact of culture on human behavior. Although numerous cultural factors make it difficult to find solid conclusions, Triandis has worked to attribute distinct characteristics of behavior to different cultures. Through three main studies, he has found that certain behavioral and personality traits can be associated to either a collectivist or individualist culture. A collectivist culture values the goals…

In the article by Bhullar, Schutte, and Malouff research was done to determine if cross-cultures individualistic and collectivistic differences influence psychological processes. They tried to see the contrasting results of culture tendencies on different psychological phenomena. Psychological process is the contribution of sensation, perception, attention, learning, and memory and how they influence the mind and human behavior. The psychological process or phenomena in this article is emotional…

The Formation of a Collective Society “Totalitarianism begins with using the word “we” without every I’s permission” (Wiśhiewski). In Anthem, Ayn Rand gives a glimpse of what it is like to live in a collective society. Equality 7-2521 is unlike his brothers and is “cursed” because of those differences. Throughout the story, Equality goes on various adventures such as finding light and leaving his society along with its collective nature. The process behind creating a collective society in…

hovercrafts and artificial intelligence, the technology in “Anthem” is set back hundreds of years. The events of the book establish this deterioration as a comment on the conditions necessary for progress. Rand depicts a society operating under collectivism, defined by Merriam­Webster as “emphasis on [group] rather than individual action or identity,” which she implies is the opposite of what is ideal for growth. Throughout the book, the characters’ lifestyle is described, leaving the reader to…

Rand have not only written works, The Giver and Anthem, that address the dangers of special interest groups encroaching on the education and literacy of children, but also their works address the individualism, collectivism, martyrdom and precision of words. Addressing subjects like collectivism and individualism with children seems like an insurmountable endeavor, but Lowry and Rand show through…

principle that all humans lived by; All are equal ––anything or anyone who does not follow this principle was a transgressor. The dystopian society’s definition or psychology of sin is an extreme inverse reflection of what Ayn Rand felt the idea of collectivism was doing to Humanity. Equality’s eventual assessment of his sin is correct, because no person is morally obligated to any other person. He is essentially the heir to the transgressor, who used the…

The constant demand for innovation in our American society calls for independence and knowledge. Ayn Rand creates a world that values collectivism, control, and obedience in Anthem. The novel Anthem summarizes Rand’s philosophy on human nature. Although the society in Anthem satirizes the communist government Rand had lived in, today’s society is antithetical to this dystopian world. Ayn Rand wrote Anthem as a satire to the rise of communism and fascism in her time, and thus the government…