Individualism—Collectivism and the Vocational Behavior of Majority Culture College Students

Abstract

This study examined whether variation on the cultural constructs of individualism–collectivism in a sample of predominantly majority culture (i.e., Anglo American) college students accounts for significant amounts of variance in their occupational choices, career plans, and work values. Participants (135 women, 55 men) responded to the “I am” sentence completion method (Kuhn & McPartland, 1954), the Occupational Plans Questionnaire (Hershenson, 1967), and the Work Values Inventory (Super, 1970). Overall, results indicated no significant relationships between level of collectivism and the career‐related variables.

Through the eyes of children: Exploring Grade 7 career aspirations

“…This outcome corresponds with literature by Hartung et al (1996) and Watson et al (2011), who state that career choice is not only an individual process, but that it is also communal and interpersonal. The data yielded two sub-themes, namely: family influence on career aspirations and family members' admired characteristics.…”

“…According to Hartung, Speight and Lewis (1996), there is a dominant perception in society that career choice is an individual process of self-discovery based on interests, values and aspirations. Although there is an undeniably individual element to career choice, it is also a communal, interpersonal process (Hartung et al 1996) and therefore, when exploring the career aspirations of primary school children, the interdependence of various aspects of a person's context, such as schooling and family, in shaping their aspirations cannot be ignored.…”

“…Although there is an undeniably individual element to career choice, it is also a communal, interpersonal process (Hartung et al 1996) and therefore, when exploring the career aspirations of primary school children, the interdependence of various aspects of a person's context, such as schooling and family, in shaping their aspirations cannot be ignored.…”

“…This is especially significant given that the participants in this research come from Tshivenda, isiZulu and isiXhosa backgrounds. Hartung et al (1996) assert that cultural variables such as individualism and collectivism mediate vocational behaviour and cause individuals to bring differing expectations, aspirations and values to the career development process. We assert that, whilst culture plays an important role in the career aspirations of adolescents, it should not be emphasised over other relevant aspects, for example, the influence of the school community.…”

The influence of self-concept, parenting style and individualism–collectivism on career maturity in Australia and Thailand

“…While Hartung, Speight, and Lewis (1996) found no significant relationships between individualist or collectivist orientations and occupational planning and work value orientations among majority culture university students, their study was conducted in one country, rather than cross-nationally. Relationships between attitudinal career maturity and self-concept, parenting style, and individualism-collectivism have not been previously investigated across Australian and Thai cultural contexts.…”