Collectivistic and Individualistic Cultures

A detailed Summary of Collectivistic and Individualistic Cultures

The main goal of the science of psychology is to discover and

generate knowledge about people and their behavior. Studying the

cultural aspect of the science adds yet another piece to the puzzle of

psychology. By definition, cultural psychology includes cultural similarities

and differences in behavior with its main theories. The research pertaining

to the study of crossing cultures in a psychological aspect is done by

examining the behaviors, beliefs and reactions of people from different

cultural backgrounds. To simplify the study of cultural psychology, cultures

have been initially divided into two types. The types included are

collectivistic cultures and individualistic cultures and the two are

seemingly at opposite ends of the spectrum of psychology. However,

there are also etics, that is aspects that are universal across cultures,

present in the comparison of the two types of cultures. Aspects that

differ from one culture to another are known as emics, and a major goal

of scientists engaged in the study of cultures is to determine which aspects

of human behavior should be classified as etics and which as emics.

culturally specific, the fact that nonverbal behavior is generally accepted

centered on what is best for the group. Instead of passing independence

is also more common. Due to the fact that individualists are not extremely

Highly individualistic cultures encourage people to take care of

valued for men and women while trying to choose a mate. Universally,

longer lasting. Asian cultures, which tend to be collectivistic, are more

Approximate Word count = 1639
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Science

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