Analysis of American Individualism and Chinese Collectivism from the Cross—Cultural Perspective

李晓燕

【Abstract】Individualism and collectivism are the core of the value systems in American and Chinese society respectively.Understanding their differences is essential to create a harmonious environment in intercultural communication.This thesis compares Chinese collectivism and Americans individualism， and it demonstrates their influences on intercultural communication.

【Key words】individualism； collectivism； intercultural communication

1.An Introduction towards Individualism and Collectivism

Individualism is the main value conception in America while collectivism is the main value conception in China.Both of these two value conceptions have their own origins and histories of developments.In order to study these two value conceptions comparatively， we should make a clear awareness of their own origins and histories of developments.

1.1 The Origin of Individualism

It is well known that the most important value in the United States is individualism， which influences every Americans life.As one of the most popular cultural patterns， the origin of this value has had a long history.According to Samovar and porter， two hundred years before Christ， the Latin poet Quintus Ennis offered the following advices that clearly spelled out the independent nature of the individual： “Do not expect strangers to do for you what you can do for yourself.” （许力生， 2006： 113） Whats more， it is well known that the United States is an immigrant country which is made up by people from Asia， Africa， Europe and South America， etc.A lot of early immigrants came to this new world in order to escape the religious and political persecution， and look for religious freedom so as to create a better life.（Samovar et al， 2012： 78）

1.1.1 Meanings of Individualism

According to American Heritage Dictionary， individualism has the following meanings：

（1） Belief in the primary importance of the individual and in the virtues of self - reliance and personal independence；

（2） A doctrine of freedom from government regulation of personal economy or social goals；

（3） The doctrine that the interests of the individual should take precedence over the interests of the group.

Therefore， the so-called “individualism” in America is not totally the same as Chinese “individualism”.American individualism points out individual interests are higher than group interests， and personal income is out of government rules and regulations.The one that we should pay more attention is： everything should be depended on yourself， nobody has excessive need to rely on others， which emphasizes personal independence.