Development and Validation of an Individualism-Collectivism Scale

摘要

Individualism-collectivism (IC) appears to be related to some important social problems. The development of a scale to measure it will allow tests of hypotheses concerning such relationships. Besides being a variable of individual difference, it is also a continuum along which the world's cultures can be placed. To be more specific, collectivism is a syndrome of attitudes and behaviors associated with a concern for others and the belief that the collective, not the individual, is the basic unit of survival. A paper-and-pencil test (INDCOL Scale) was developed to measure this multifaceted construct. As an instrument, the INDCOL Scale was shown to be sufficiently reliable and cross-culturally appropriate. Seven studies were done to be established the validity of the Scale. Collectivism, as measured by the Scale, correlated with interpersonal orientation and social interest; it was socially valued in Chinese society but not necessarily in American society. Moreover, it correlated with sharing of responsibility as well as the correspondence between obligation and behavioral intention. The assumption that various kinds of collectivism should be distinguished according to target persons was supported by the data.