Question

8. Which statement about individual and collectivist cultures is accurate?

A) Collectivist cultures value individual freedom less than individualistic cultures.

B) The fundamental attribution error is less common in individualistic cultures.

C) Americans tend to be high in collectivism.

D) People in individualistic cultures neglect dispositional influences on behavior.

Answer 1

1. Collectivist cultures value individual freedom less than individualistic cultures is accurate.

Collectivist cultures pay heed to goals and needs of group as an entity rather than individual wants and needs, relationships and interconnectedness with others influence the conduct of beings. Individualistic cultures stress individual needs than group needs, one’s attitudes influence social behavior and preferences.

There are a few major differences in traits possessed by individuals in individualist and collectivist cultures:

Individualist cultures	Collectivist Cultures
Independent entity	Interdependent
Self-reliance, motivated to achieve	Traditional, moderate drive to achieve, connected
Assertive	Obedient
Emphasis on uniqueness, standing out (Pleasure)	Emphasis on acts of greater good for society (Self-sacrificing)

In collectivist cultures, traits of helping, interdependence, self-sacrificing, obedience are encouraged whereas individualist cultures value independence, self-reliance, and assertiveness. Hence,(A), the notion that collectivist cultures emphasize less on individual freedom than individualist cultures is accurate.