1.3.5 - Score Yourself !!

 

Individualist or Collectivist: Score Yourself!!  

 

As you can see, the concept of "self" can have almost opposite meanings. Having become familiar with the two poles of this concept in the previous exercise, you now have a chance to think of your own behavior in the context of this important cultural dimension. Before reading further, take a moment to decide whether you think of yourself as more individualist or collectivist.

 

Let's do the following exercise...

 

Below are a number of paired statements. Read each pair (a. and b.) and check the one that best describes the action you would take or the way you feel about the particular topic. Please choose one or the other even if you think both are true. Try to be as honest as you can by answering quickly and not analyzing your response.

 

1a. Managers should be hired from within the organization, based mainly on their seniority. 1b. Managers should be hired on the basis of the skills they have and previous experience in similar jobs.
2a. It takes a long time to make a new friend. 2b. Friends can be made relatively quickly.
3a. If I took a job with a new company, I would expect my old employer to wish me well. 3b. If I took a job with a new company, I would be afraid that my employer might lose face.
4a. I expect people to judge me by my achievements. 4b. I expect people to judge me by my affiliations.
5a. Before making a decision, it is best to make sure everyone agrees with it. 5b. Before making a decision, you should get at least half of the people to agree with it.
6a. I am embarrassed by individual recognition. 6b. If I do a good job, I feel I have earned individual recognition.
7a. Making sure people don’t lose face is more important than always being completely honest. 7b. Being straight with people is always best in the end.
8a. If my brother or sister did wrong, I would admit this to other people. 8b. If my brother or sister did wrong, I would defend them to other people.
9a. Confrontation is sometimes necessary to clear the air. 9b. Confrontation almost always causes more problems than it solves.
10a. In the end, you can always rely on other people. 10b. In the end, you can only rely on yourself.

    

It seems that you tend to be more      

 

 Is your trend here consistent with your self-concept? See an explanation

Keep in mind that this exercise is not scientific. Most of the paired statements are taken out of context; you might select one alternative in one set of circumstances and the opposite in another. The exercise, however, has exposed you to some alternative behaviors and ways of thinking that you might want to consider as you continue your overseas experience.

For more information and exercises which will help you adjust to your host culture, continue to Section 1.4, Whose Fault? Why Values Matter.

 
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