Bicol University - College of Science

Information Technology 2A

Individualism
vs
Collectivism
Presented by Mary Grace Condat, Kristelle Anne Miranda, Eric Tripulca, Jay Balane, Alliesa Biñas, Heaven Granadil
What is Psyche?
The concept of the psyche is a western model of soul.
Western traditions are always preoccupied by the duality of
the body and soul. Plato started with the idea that the soul
inhabited the world of ideas, while the body descended to
the world of sensible. The ideal self is there up above the
heavens while the bodily self, or the soul imprisoned in a
finite material body.
Aristotle on the duality
Aristotle proposed the hylemorphic theory, meaning that the
human person is composed of matter or the body and form
or the soul. This means that the body will grow and
eventually die and decomposed and will be transformed into
something else. Unlike Plato, Aristotle asserted that the
body is equally important as the soul, because the former
will give the latter the knowledge it ought to have through
senses.
Western model of Psyche
The Western model of the psyche, marked by a historical
preoccupation with the duality of body and soul,
contributes to the complex interplay between
individualism and collectivism. Different philosophical
perspectives offer varying degrees of emphasis on the
individual's autonomy or interconnectedness with the
broader community, shaping cultural attitudes toward the
self and its relationship to society.
 What is Individualism?
Definition

Individualism is an orientation concerned with the independence and self-

reliance of the individual and it is where by one’s focuses on themselves, and
their family, individual uniqueness and self determination is valued.
What is Individualism?
The western conception of the self is individualistic it
gives more emphasis on freedom and choice-- an
independent self that is free from the influence of culture
and environment and from the expectations and welfare of
society. It emphasizes the uniqueness of every individual
and is predicated on ego and is more self-oriented. It
describes the self as existing and distinct from others
individualism foregrounds that a human being has a self, is
an individual, and is a person. It gives more emphasis on
individual goals and his or her journey towards self-
realization or self-actualization. The self is free to express
itself.
 Features of Individualism
Its features are:

Individual rights are Independence is

Promotes seen as being the most valued; there is much

01 02 03 04
important. Rules less of a drive to help
individual goals,
“I” identity initiative and
attempt to ensure self-
importance and
other citizens or
communities than in
achievement individualism. collectivism.

Relying or being People are People strive

05 06 07
dependent on encouraged to do for their own
others is frequently things on their
seen as shameful. own; to rely on
successes.
themselves.
 Stereotypes of Individualism

Self - Expression Self - Reliance

a culture of individualism celebrates embracing self reliance and taking
people’s self-expression, even if it's responsibility for one's own
different from the norm. This might actions and outcomes,
involve a unique fashion sense of taste
individualism prioritizes personal
in music.
independence.
 Advantages and Disadvantages of
Individualism
Advantages
Multidimetional culture - members within an
individualistic society share many characteristics;
however, they also have the freedom to be different.
Self-Sufficiency - individualism fosters the ability to
perform well individually and find strength within
themselves to overcome obstacles.
Disadvantages
• Does not allow for other people to experience that
person's talents or creativity. Learning to cooperate
with others is what builds character,friendship, and
important life skills.
• More problems with finding good friends because
they don't care about others' opinions. It can lead to
difficulties with social life.
 What is Collectivism?
Definition
Collectivism is a socio-cultural perspective that emphasizes the prioritization of group interests, communal
well-being, and the interconnectedness of individuals within a community. It is the idea that people should
prioritize the good of society over the welfare of the individual. In collectivist societies, the rights and needs of
the group, such as family, community, or nation, are more important over individual rights. Cooperation,
selflessness, and a sense of shared responsibility are key values in collectivism.
 Features of Collectivism
its features are:

01 02 03 04 05
Each person is The rigths of Rules promote Working with others As a community,
encouraged to be an families, unity, brotherhood, and cooperating is family or nation
active plater in communities, and the and selflessness. the norm; everyone
more is an
society, to do what is collective supersede supports each other.
individual.
best for society as a those of the
whole rather than individual.
themselves.
Collectivism in Middle Eastern
Traditions
Unity in Judaeo-Christian
Philosophies
Judaeo-Christian tradition
a significant emphasis is placed on the unity of the nation,
often described as the chosen people of God (Exodus 19:5).
Prophets in the biblical narrative consistently stress the
importance of the community of believers, urging them to
remain faithful to the compassionate teachings of God
Prophet Mohammad's
Emphasis on Oneness and
Inclusivity:
Islamic traditions
The teachings of Prophet Mohammad, highlight the
oneness of Allah and the inclusivity of Islam as a
religion. The saying, "[m]y community will never
agree to an error," underscores the collective nature
of decision-making and ethical conduct within the
Islamic community (Esposito, 2005).
Conficius
Philosophy
Confucius
is the central figure in Confucianism, a philosophy
that emphasizes moral virtue, ethical conduct, and the
cultivation of personal and social harmony.
Confucius believed that the threat to social order is
only caused by the unchecked selfish desires of
individuals.
 Confucius’s principles
Confucius envisioned the junzi as a refined and
compassionate person, molded through the right
education under virtuous teachers who serve as role
models. Junzi's education is humanistic learning,
refined personal manners, and the ability to govern
the community wisely and with compassion.
of junzi, li, and ren
Ren emphasizes compassion, kindness, and humanity. It
encourages individuals to cultivate virtuous relationships
with others and to treat people with empathy and
understanding. Ren prioritizes the needs and interests of
others over one's own self-interest. It represents a
virtuous and compassionate attitude toward others.

junzi ren
li

Li encompasses rituals, propriety, and proper conduct. Confucius believed that adhering
to social rituals fosters a harmonious and well-ordered society. The concept evolved to
include refined manners, emphasizing courteous and respectful behavior in daily
interactions. Guides individuals in adhering to cultural practices, traditions, and social
norms. It plays a role in preserving and transmitting cultural values from one generation
to another.
Two interpretation of Confucius' Philosophy by
Scholars
• Selflessness for the Social Interest
• One interpretation of Confucian thought suggests that the ideal, and therefore
moral self is characterized by the ability to prioritize social interests over
individual interests.
• The ideal person is selfless and willing to set aside personal desires or gains in
favor of the well-being and interests of the community.
• The individual self and the social self are seen as mutually exclusive. They are
distinct, separate aspects of the person.
• Despite being separate, the individual self is "subsumed" or absorbed within
the interests of the social self. The individual's concerns or desires are
secondary to the broader interests of the community.
 Scholars two interpretation of Confucius'
philosophy
2. Interconnected Individual and Social Self
• The individual self (you as an individual) and the social self (the larger community) are not
treated as separate entities; they are deeply connected.
• According to this, the character of the ideal self cannot be separated from its social
character. They are intertwined, with the virtues of the individual connected to the values of
the broader social context.

• The actions, values, and development of the individual actively contribute to building
or enhancing the larger social fabric.
• Individuals are not only concerned with personal success but actively engage in
contributing to the well-being and development of the larger society.
• Practicing filial piety isn't just a personal duty; it's seen as a positive action that helps both
the family and the larger community.
 Impact of Collectivism
Self-Perception
In collectivist societies, individuals
often derive their sense of self and
identity from their membership in
the group. Personal traits and
achievements may be less
emphasized compared to one's role
within the community. This can
influence how individuals perceive
themselves and their place in
society.
Strong Relationship
Collectivist cultures typically
prioritize interpersonal relationships
and social connections. Family,
friends, and community ties are
valued highly, and there is often a
strong sense of loyalty and support
among group members. These strong
relationships can provide emotional
security and social support,
contributing to overall well-being.
Comformity
Conformity to group norms and
expectations is a common feature of
collectivist cultures. There may be
pressure to adhere to social
conventions and conform to the
behaviors and attitudes deemed
appropriate by the group. This can
influence decision-making, social
interactions, and individual
expression.
Potential Pitfalls of Collectivism
Social Anxiety
In some collectivist cultures, there may be heightened social
anxiety among individuals due to the emphasis on group
cohesion and conformity. People may worry about not fitting in
or being judged by others if they deviate from societal
expectations. The pressure to maintain harmonious
relationships and avoid conflict can contribute to feelings of
anxiety in social situations. Additionally, the importance placed
on preserving the group's reputation and avoiding shame or loss
of face can further amplify social anxiety, as individuals may
fear making mistakes or standing out in a negative way.
Less Social Support
Collectivist cultures often prioritize strong social bonds and support
networks, there can be instances where individuals experience less
social support than expected. This may occur if someone fails to
meet the expectations or obligations of the group, leading to social
ostracism or exclusion. Additionally, in tightly knit communities,
there may be limited tolerance for diversity of thought or behavior,
which can result in individuals feeling isolated or unsupported if
their views or lifestyles diverge from the group norm. Moreover,
individuals may hesitate to seek help or disclose personal struggles
due to concerns about burdening others or damaging group
cohesion.
Similarities of
Individualism and
Collectivism
Both individualism and collectivism
represent fundamental aspects of cultural
orientation and societal values, yet they
differ significantly in their emphasis and
priorities.
 Similarities
1. Social Orientation: Both individualism and collectivism are perspectives that shape how
individuals interact within society and perceive their roles in relation to others.
2. Cultural Influence: Both concepts are deeply rooted in cultural norms and values, influencing
various aspects of social behavior, decision-making, and identity formation.
3. Impact on Self-Perception: Both individualistic and collectivistic cultures influence how
individuals perceive themselves and define their identities, albeit in different ways. In individualistic
cultures, self-concept is often defined in terms of personal attributes and achievements, whereas in
collectivistic cultures, it may be defined in relation to social roles and group affiliations.
4. Existence of Norms: Both types of cultures have established norms and expectations regarding
social behavior, albeit different ones. These norms guide interactions, relationships, and societal
structures within each cultural context.
In summary, while individualism and collectivism share some commonalities in shaping social
behavior and self-perception, they diverge in their core values and priorities, influencing various
aspects of culture, identity, and interpersonal dynamics.
‫ תודה‬谢谢 감사합니다 ありがとう ขอบคุณ
MARAMING SALAMAT
Thank you Спасибо je vous remercie Gracias
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