Title: Individualism vs Collectivism Quiz
Course: PIM: Teaming 2: Self and Other Awareness > Section: Cultural Dimensions Specific to Teams

Q: DIVIDING THE SPOILS

For six weeks, you and the three other people on your team have been working on an important project. Now the work is done, and the four of you have been awarded a cash prize of $10,000.

How should this money be distributed?

To answer this question, you may find the following information useful:

1. Person A did 25% of the work.

2. Person B did 40% of the work.

3. Person C did 25% of the work.

4. Person D did 10% of the work.

[This survey has been adapted from Storti, C. (1999). Figuring Foreigners Out: A Practical Guide (pp. 23-28). Intercultural Press
Feedback: A typical answer from members of more individualist cultures: Person A: $2,500 (25%) Person B: $4,000 (40%) Person C: $2,500 (25%) Person D: $1,000 (10%) A typical answer from members of more collectivist cultures: Person A: $2,500 Person B: $2,500 Person C: $2,500 Person D: $2,500 People from more collectivist cultures believe that their own security and wellbeing ultimately depend on the wellbeing and survival of their group. A group is only as strong as its weakest members, of course, so dividing the prize evenly -- increasing the wellbeing of everyone in the group equally -- offers the greatest protection for all members. People from more individualist cultures believe rewards should equal one's level of effort. Individualism and collectivism are two poles of a continuum for understanding personal identity or self. Individualist: The smallest unit of survival is the individual. People identify primarily with self, and the needs of the individual are satisfied before those of the group. Looking after and taking care of oneself, being self-sufficient, guarantees the wellbeing of the group. Independence and self-reliance are stressed and greatly valued, and personal freedom is highly desired. In general, there is more psychological and emotional distance from others. One may choose to join groups, but group membership is not essential to one's identity, survival, or success. Collectivist: The primary group, usually the immediate family, is the smallest unit of survival. One's identity is in large part a function of one's membership and role in a group (e.g., the family, the work team). The survival and success of the group ensures the wellbeing of the individual, so that by considering the needs and feelings of others, one protects oneself. Harmony and the interdependence of group members are stressed and valued. There is relatively little psychological or emotional distance between group members, though there is more distance between group and nongroup members (ingroups and outgroups).

Q: Choose the answer that is more consistent with this behavior:

Companies give employee-of-the-year awards.
- Individualism (You are correct! Singling out people for individual recognition is more individualistic.)
- Collectivism (Hmmmm... Singling out people for individual recognition sounds more individualistic. Want to go back and change your response?)
A: Individualism

Q: Choose the answer that is more consistent with the behavior:

Friendships are for life; people have one or two close friends they can count on for anything, and casual friendships don't really exist.
- Individualism (Actually, no. A lot of people make the assumption that collectivists have more friends, but the friendship bonds of collectivists tend to be strong and enduring and reserved for only a few close relationships.)
- Collectivism (Correct! A lot of people make the assumption that collectivists have more friends, but the friendship bonds of collectivists tend to be strong and enduring and reserved for only a few close relationships.)
A: Collectivism

Q: Choose the answer that is more consistent with the behavior:

Promotion is based on measurable results and successful output.
- Individualism (That's right! Individualists tend to define themselves more in terms of what they accomplish than by their personal qualities. Accomplishing goals and being productive are usually important in individualist institutions.)
- Collectivism (This is not the correct answer. Individualists tend to define themselves more in terms of what they accomplish than by their personal qualities. Accomplishing goals and being productive are usually important in individualist institutions. Feel free to go back and change your response.)
A: Individualism

Q: Choose the answer that is more consistent with the behavior:

A mother asks her four year old what they want to wear today.
- Individualism (You got it right! Fostering self-reliance and independence are important parental goals in more individualist societies. If your parents want you to move out and be self-supporting when you reach adulthood, that is a sure sign of individualism!)
- Collectivism (No, this sounds more like individualism. Fostering self-reliance and independence are important parental goals in more individualist societies. If your parents want you to move out and be self-supporting when you reach adulthood, that is a sure sign of individualism! Feel free to go back and change your response.)
A: Individualism

Q: Choose the answer that best describes the way you feel or the action you would take. Of course it depends on the situation, but try to choose without thinking too much.

-I expect people to judge me by my achievements.

-I expect people to judge me by the groups I belong to.
Feedback: There is no correct response to this question! People who are more individualistic might have the expectation that others are looking at their achievements to see what sort of person they are, while collectivists would be more likely to expect others to judge them by their group memberships. Of course, this is a continuum, not a binary, so for many people both are true to some extent.

Q: Choose the answer that best describes the way you feel or the action you would take. Of course it depends on the situation, but try to choose without thinking too much.

-Before making a decision, it is best to make sure everyone agrees with it.

-Before making a decision, you should get at least half of the people to agree with it.
Feedback: Again, one of these responses is not more correct than the other - they just represent different ways of operating in groups. People who are more individualistic recognize that disagreements will occur; they just want to get a majority of the group on board with a plan of action, so voting is a common way to make decisions. A more collectivist way of making decisions would be to strive for consensus so that all members are satisfied and harmony is maintained in the group.

Q: Respond briefly to each of the following reflection prompts:

1. Based on your responses to the series of questions in this quiz, where would you place yourself on the spectrum between individualism and collectivism?
2. Thinking about others in your family, your community, your institution - would they be similar to you or farther towards one side or the other of the continuum? Why?
Feedback: There are many reasons why people lean one way. Places where we are "acculturated" to our preferences include home, family, school, neighborhood, locale, faith communities, interest groups and clubs, etc. But even people who may be staunchly individualist in how they understand and interact with the world at large may have spaces like family where they are fiercely collectivist. Exploring your own leanings can bring helpful self-awareness.