Opposite ends of the same stick? Multi-method test of the dimensionality of individualism and collectivism

Date
2014-01
Authors
Taras, V.
Sarala, R.
Karakitapoğlu-Aygün, Z.
Kashima, E. S.
Kolstad, A.
Milfont, T. L.
Oetzel, J.
Okazaki, S.
Probst, T. M.
Sato, T.
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Source Title
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology
Print ISSN
0022-0221
Electronic ISSN
1552-5422
Publisher
Sage
Volume
45
Issue
2
Pages
213 - 245
Language
English
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Abstract

The construct of individualism–collectivism (IND-COL) has become the definitive standard in cross-cultural psychology, management, and related fields. It is also among the most controversial, in particular, with regard to the ambiguity of its dimensionality: Some view IND and COL as the opposites of a single continuum, whereas others argue that the two are independent constructs. We explored the issue through seven different tests using original individual-level data from 50 studies and meta-analytic data from 149 empirical publications yielding a total of 295 samplelevel observations that were collected using six established instruments for assessing IND and COL as separate constructs. Results indicated that the dimensionality of IND-COL may depend on (a) the specific instrument used to collect the data, (b) the sample characteristics and the cultural region from which the data were collected, and (c) the level of analysis. We also review inconsistencies, deficiencies, and challenges of conceptualizing IND-COL and provide guidelines for developing and selecting instruments for measuring the construct, and for reporting and meta-analyzing results from this line of research.

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Published Version (Please cite this version)