Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Fall 2015/RI-3
Name: ______________________
Fall 2015/RI-3
Fall 2015/RI-3
Different governments have different ideas about whether resources should be managed
by private interests or by the government. Those with more collectivist values generally prefer
government ownership, and those with more individualist values usually prefer private
ownership; however, some type of balance between the two may also be considered desirable by
some with collectivist and individuals values. Many countries allow private enterprises to
extract natural resources for commercial profit. In Canada, the extraction and production of
natural resources such as oil, natural gas, and lumber by privately owned companies forms a
major segment of our national economy, and millions of people benefit economically from these
activities both directly and indirectly. Privatization is the transfer of property or resources from
public or government to private control. Some people argue that the harvesting and privatization
of natural resources can have harmful consequences for society. Countries must balance the
need or desire for economic activity with the needs of the environment and sustainable
development.
Social Expressions of Collectivism
In a collectivist society, individuals are asked to co-operate and demonstrate collective
responsibility. Through co-operation, individuals begin to see past the idea of caring only for
themselves and see the larger picture of needing to work together to achieve common goals.
Adherence to collective norms is also another way to examine to what extent individuals are
adopting a similar collective behaviour, value system, and overall attitude towards the goals of
society.
Read All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum on the top
right of page 87.
1. Do you agree with most of what is written?
2. Can you expand on this list? Add two more items that are more applicable to high school.
a.
b.
Adherence to Collective Norms
Re-write each sentence in your own words
1. Adherence to collective norms can be a way society or a group can influence the actions
of its members?
2. Sometimes individuals who are members of a group will support or respect societal
expectations and values, which may or may not reflect their personal beliefs.
Fall 2015/RI-3
1. Have you ever done something that you didnt want to in order to go along with the
group?
2. Have you ever done something you wanted to do in order to go along with the group?
Adherence to collective norms can be a powerful tool in society to get people to play ball.
It would be very difficult for society to function well if everybody wanted to do their own thing.
We can pass laws, of course, but it would be next to impossible to have a law regarding all our
actions on a day to day bases. Going along with the norm is a collectivist idea that allows us to
live in harmony together. Using the first one as an example, write three other societal norms.
1. Holding the door open for someone who comes after you (perhaps a mall or restaurant).
2.
3.