Diandra Maria Pânișoară
Individualism and Collectivism: Social and Cultural Perspectives
V arious aspects can manipulate a person’s view on society and self-importance. There are numerous theories regarding the development of the individual in society. These theories challenge the perspective of the natural elements that the individual detains from birth as well as the factors that can condition the human experience creating from a perfectly pure mind a way of thinking in relation to certain elements. Regardless of the outcome of this dynamic, the individual’s worldview becomes inherently self-centered or oriented toward others. The American Psychological Association describes individualism as “a social or cultural tradition, ideology, or personal outlook that emphasizes the individual and their rights, independence, and relationships with other individuals” as well as “in ethical and political theory, the view that individuals have intrinsic value”. These definitions have a fundamental similarly in explaining the relation with self and others, the value that the individual should seek in himself with this specific outlook that indubitably highlights the importance that one has. Another perspective is offered by the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary, which frames the issue as “the idea that each person should think and act independently rather than depending on others”. As well as the Cambridge Business English Dictionary defines individualism as “the principle that the single person is more important than the group and that people should work and own things for their own advantage”.
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