Use the table given below to make a detailed comparative analysis of collectivistic and individualistic cultures. Work in groups.
Unit Individualistic and Collectivistic Cultures
I. Comment on the proverbs.
«The squeaky wheel gets the grease». (American proverb)
«The nail that stands out gets pounded down». (Japanease proverb)
II. Starting up
Answer these questions individually. Then compare your answers with a partner.
1. Do you feel that you belong to an individualistic or collectivistic culture? Why? What are the signs?
2. What do you think determines whether a culture is individualistic or collectivistic? Try to come up with three main points.
3. Do you think Eastern culture is more collectivistic than Western culture? Give reasons for your answer.
4. Are people in collectivistic societies happier than those who live in individualistic societies? Why? Why not?
5. Do societies become individualistic through civilization and modernization? Or are societies more civilized and modernized because they are individualistic? Or is it just a coincidence that most of the wealthiest countries today have individualistic cultures rather than collectivistic?
III. Vocabulary Moral Codes
1. Match the words to their meanings.
contempt
the state of existing or acting separately from others
hierarchy
joint ownership or participation
divinity
lack of guilt or evil thoughts
moral code
a series of agreements to which a person has subscribed to guarantee the survival of a group
emotion
the quality or state of being holy or sacred
autonomy
a system in which people or things are placed in a series of levels with different importance or status
purity
the formal study of religion, religious practices, and religious belief
community
a lack of respect for or fear of something that is usually respected or feared
violation
the act of doing something that is not allowed by a law or rule
sanctity
a strong feeling (such as love, anger, joy, hate, or fear)
Complete the text with with the correct form of the words from Exercise 1
There are three …..1: community, autonomy, and …..2. …..3 codes are especially important to people in collectivist cultures, whereas …..4 codes are important in individualist cultures. They evoke different …..5. Violation of communal codes, including …..6, evokes …..7; …..8 of the autonomy code (e.g., individual rights) evokes anger. Violation of the divinity code (…..9, …..10) evokes disgust. Data from Japan and the United States support the theory.
IV. Key Characteristics of Collectivistic and Individualistic cultures
Listening
Reading
Speaking
1. Listen to the speaker talking about collectivistic and individualistic cultures and create a plan of their analysis. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b8YcXWkqvo).
Use the table given below to make a detailed comparative analysis of collectivistic and individualistic cultures. Work in groups.