What Are Some Examples of Collectivist Cultures?

Countries that are collectivists are focused on the group dynamic instead of the individual. They tend to focus on moral behavior and the harmony of a group of people. These countries include, but are not limited to, Ecuador, Venezuela, Indonesia and Guatemala.

Collectivist cultures focus shame and seek to avoid it. If someone in the group deviates from the cultural norm, they are considered to be weak or to have bad character. Any type of conflict or saying “no” lessons the harmony of the group, so saying “no” or any sort of conflict is heavily avoided. In collectivist countries, being a part of the collective group gives a promise of safety and a source of identity as long as the person remains loyal to that group.

Other countries that are collectivists include Panama, Columbia, Pakistan, Costa Rica, Peru, Taiwan, Armenia, Russia, Belarus, El Salvador and South Korea. Many Asian cultures tend to be collectivist. This may be attributed to the fact that many of those countries are communist in their government, which often works hand-in-hand with collectivist cultures. Collectivist cultures are expected to work well in groups, but they still accept that individual groups within the larger group have varying beliefs and lifestyles. As long as their individual ways don’t interrupt the collective group, it goes unnoticed.