0

0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
children adults (18-40) adults 41+
first response
average response
(p = .216)
DISCUSSION
Current study fails to support, (a) age or gender
as a factor in societal identification, and (b)
previous research indicating the U.S. is
dominantly individualist.
Call for replication and modernization of study
protocol used in existing research producing
conclusion of an individualist American society.
Potential impact of social desirability response
set not supported on comparison of first to
average response.







Re-evaluate current societal structures (e.g.,
school) and models (e.g., parenting) designed to
accommodate the U.S as an individualist society.
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
children 5-12 adults 18-40 adults 41+
male
female
Age and Societal Identification: Individualism and Collectivism
Michael T. Drysdale, Nathalie E. Sacci, Constance A. Barnes, & Christina M. Frederick
Personal identifications with individualist and collectivist
frameworks influence society. These frameworks define how
individuals identify with groups (e.g., family, work, etc.).
Individuals who operate independently of group goals exemplify
individualism and those who operate interdependently exemplify
collectivism (Trandis, 2001). Existing research addresses
individualism and collectivism with a focus on cross-cultural
differences in adults (Tamis-LeMonda et al., 2007; Finkelstein,
2011). Evidence shows individuals in American culture tend to
make decisions based on individualistic motives (Schimmack et
al., 2005) and those in Asian cultures tend to make decisions
based on group ideals (Choi & Choi, 2002). The current study
examined societal identification (i.e., individualist or collectivist)
in children and adults through a process designed to reduce the
impact of pre-existing bias. 30 children (aged 5-12) and 60
adults (30 aged 18-40 and 30 adults aged 41 and over) were
tested individually. Participants were provided a storyboard
containing 10 repositionable, genderless, occupational
characters (e.g., firefighter, teacher, etc.). Participants selected
the 3 characters they felt laid the foundation for their ideal
society. Participants explanations for their selections were
nominally coded as individualist or collectivist and submitted to
the chi-square two sample test. Although we hypothesized
children would show a more collectivist orientation than adults,
the chi-square revealed no significant difference (p = .390) in
societal identification. Post hoc comparisons were conducted to
assess sex differences (p = .399) and first response relative to
average response (p = .216). We must reconsider
generalizations about societal identifications.
INTRODUCTION
Individualism and collectivism are ideals relating to
how people identify with others in society (Watson &
Morris, 2002).
Research focuses on individualism and collectivism
across culture (Tamis-LeMonda et al., 2007).
Evidence shows the U.S. is more individualistic than
collectivist (Schimmack et al., 2005).
Age could be a factor in societal identification
(Watson & Morris, 2002).
Hypothesis: We predict a difference between child
and adult societal identification.
METHOD
Participants
Informed/parental consent
90 participants: 30 children (5-12) and 60 adults
(30 adults aged 18-40 and 30 adults aged 41+)
Procedure
Game design to distract from purpose and
encourage investment
Instructions
Use of magnetic cityscape for ideal society/town
10 occupational representations provided, select
3/10, provide selection rationale
Responses recorded via iPhone Voice Memos
RESULTS
Selection rationale coded as individualist or
collectivist
Individual participant responses sorted by age,
nominally coded, and submitted to a chi-square
Chi-square revealed:
No significant difference (p = .983) between the
number of collectivist responses for gender and age
No significant difference (p = .390) between societal
identifications for children vs. adults.









REFERENCES
Choi, I., & Choi, Y. (2002). Culture and self-concept flexibility. Personality and
Social Psychology Bulletin, 28(11), 1508-1517.
Finkelstein, M. A. (2011). Correlates of individualism and collectivism:
Predicting volunteer activity. Social Behavior and Personality, 39(5), 597-
606.
Schimmack, U., Oishi, S., & Diener, E. (2005). Individualism: A valid and
important dimension of cultural differences between nations. Personality
and Social Psychology Review, 9(1), 17-31.
Tamis-LeMonda, C.S., Way, N., Hughes, D., Yoshikawa, H., Kalman, R.K., &
Niwa, E. (2007). Parents goals for children: the dynamic coexistence of
individualism and collectivism in cultures and individuals. Social
Development, 17(1), 183-209.
Watson, P.J., & Morris, R.J. (2002). Individualist and collectivist values:
Hypotheses suggested by Alexis de Tocqueville. The Journal of Psychology,
136(3), 263-271.
Age
Contact: uopgrad@gmail.com, nathaliecheadle@yahoo.com, constance_black@snceagles.sierranevada.edu, cfrederick@sierranevada.edu


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