Chapter 17. Well-Being
WB.12: Deep Dive – Everyday Uplifts and Hassles: How Collectivistic and Individualistic Cultures Experience Life’s Little Moments
Approximate reading time: 8 minutes
UPLIFTS: Collective compared with individualistic cultures
| Collective | Individualistic | References | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spending time with family | Emphasises group cohesiveness, family values, and in-group goals. Family time is seen as fulfilling communal obligations and strengthening group bonds. For example, when you attend a large family reunion, this gathering isn’t just enjoyable; it’s a way to strengthen your bond with the family and fulfill your role in the larger group. | Focuses on personal autonomy and individual enjoyment. Family time may be valued but balanced with personal interests and autonomy. For example, if you choose to spend an evening with your family, this is often balanced with your personal interests, valuing both family time and your own autonomy. | Fitzpatrick et al., 2006; Triandis, 2001 |
| Achieving a personal goal | Achievements are often viewed in the context of contributing to the group’s success or honour, rather than purely individual success. For example, if you win a scholarship, this achievement is seen as a source of pride for your entire family or community, not just a personal success. | Personal achievements are a source of individual pride and self-fulfilment, emphasising personal autonomy and self-expression. For example, when you get a promotion at work, this is a moment of personal pride and achievement, focusing on your individual capabilities and success. | Kim et al., 2006; Triandis, 2001 |
| Receiving praise at work | Praise might be interpreted as a reflection of the group’s success and a contribution to collective harmony. For example, when your team completes a project successfully and you receive praise from your boss, this praise is a reflection of the entire team’s effort and success, not just your own. | Praise is seen as recognition of individual effort and competence, enhancing personal self-esteem. For example, if you’re singled out for your exceptional work on a project, this praise boosts your personal self-esteem and is seen as a recognition of your individual effort. | Naz et al., 2021; Triandis, 2001 |
| Having a day to relax | Relaxation might be seen in the context of restoring oneself for the benefit of better contributing to group tasks and responsibilities. For example, if you take a day off to relax, this relaxation is seen as a way to rejuvenate yourself so you can better contribute to your family or community tasks later. | Emphasises personal enjoyment and self-care, with relaxation seen as a deserved break for individual rejuvenation. For example, when you take a day for yourself to do whatever you like, this is seen as a well-deserved personal break for self-care and enjoyment. | Strand et al., 2015; Triandis, 2001 |
| Learning a new skill | Learning is often viewed as a way to improve one’s ability to contribute to the group or community. For example, when you learn a new language, this skill is often viewed as a way to improve communication and understanding within your community, not just for personal benefit. | Focuses on personal growth and self-improvement, with learning new skills seen as a way to enhance individual capabilities. For example, if you decide to take up a new hobby like painting, this is seen as a form of personal growth and self-improvement. | Watkins et al., 1998; Triandis, 2001 |
HASSLES: Collective compared with individualistic cultures
| Collective | Individualistic | References | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic jams | May be more accepting of traffic as a shared communal challenge, emphasising patience and group harmony. For example, when you’re stuck in a traffic jam, you might be more patient, seeing it as a shared challenge that everyone is facing together. | Likely to view traffic jams as a personal inconvenience, emphasising individual time and efficiency. For example, when you’re caught in traffic, you might feel frustrated because it’s seen as a personal inconvenience, disrupting your individual schedule. | Fjneman et al., 1996; Triandis, 2001 |
| Work deadlines | Deadlines are seen in the context of contributing to the group’s success, with a focus on collaborative efforts. For example, when facing a tight deadline at work, the focus is on how meeting this deadline will benefit the whole team or company, not just your personal achievement. | Emphasises personal responsibility and achievement, with deadlines seen as a challenge to individual efficiency and capability. For example, when you’re racing against a deadline, it’s seen as a test of your personal efficiency and capability, with a focus on individual achievement. | Kim et al., 2006; Triandis, 2001 |
| Financial worries | Financial issues might be viewed as a shared family or community concern, with a focus on collective solutions. For example, if you’re experiencing financial difficulties, this issue is often seen as a concern for the whole family or community, with everyone working together to find a solution. | Seen as a personal challenge, emphasising individual responsibility and autonomy in financial management. For example, if you’re worried about money, this is often viewed as a personal challenge, with a focus on your individual responsibility to manage your finances. | Triandis et al., 1988; Triandis, 2001 |
| Health issues | Health concerns are often seen in the context of their impact on the family and community, with a focus on communal support. For example, if you’re dealing with a health problem, the impact on your family and community is often considered just as important as your personal well-being. | Focuses on personal impact and autonomy in health decisions, emphasising individual well-being. For example, when dealing with a health issue, the focus is on how it affects you personally, with an emphasis on your individual decision-making and well-being. | Arends-Tóth & Vijver, 2009; Triandis, 2001 |
| Misunderstandings with friends | Emphasises maintaining harmony and group cohesion, often prioritising group relationships over individual disagreements. For example, if you have a disagreement with a friend, the focus is on maintaining harmony and the overall relationship, rather than just resolving your individual differences. | Focuses on personal expression and individual relationships, with a greater emphasis on resolving personal differences. For example, if you have a falling out with a friend, the emphasis is on expressing your personal viewpoint and resolving the issue based on individual perspectives. | Triandis, 2001; Vikan, 2017 |
definition
To calculate this time, we used a reading speed of 150 words per minute and then added extra time to account for images and videos. This is just to give you a rough idea of the length of the chapter section. How long it will take you to engage with this chapter will vary greatly depending on all sorts of things (the complexity of the content, your ability to focus, etc).
