A Look at Collectivist China Through the Eyes of Individualistic America

China We — America I

Credit to World Atlas — What is Collectivism

Introduction

One of the cultural dimensions identified by the anthropologist Geert Hofstede describes the difference between collectivism and individualism. This article attempts to contrast the differences between China collectivist nature against the United States’ individualist culture. It looks at various behaviors from both countries and attempts to explain them to the reader in the most cogent way possible.

The article is divided into the following sections:

• Hollywood and Individualism
• Individualism vs. Collectivism
• Collectivists Behaviors
• Comparing Classroom Behavior
• Communal Dining
• Collectivism and Individualism in Business\
• Collectivism and Individualism in Government

Hollywood and Individualism

Art mimics life. Or is it the other way around? One thing is for sure; when it comes to American individualism, nothing describes it better than Hollywood. American films have a fondness for the hero. Film companies know that movies like Big Jake, starring John Wayne in the title role…