Horizontal and Vertical Dimensions of Individualism and Collectivism: A Theoretical and Measurement Refinement

TLDR

Measuring vertical and horizontal individualism and collectivism separately yields better internal consistency than using broader individualism/collectivism or their constituent elements. The article develops a new scale that theoretically and measurably distinguishes vertical from horizontal individualism and collectivism. The scale operationalizes vertical collectivism as self-as-part with accepted inequality, horizontal collectivism as self-as-part with equal status, vertical individualism as autonomous with accepted inequality, and horizontal individualism as autonomous with equality. The distinctions proved useful, and their implications are discussed.

Abstract

In developing a new scale, this article makes theoretical and measurement distinctions between vertical and horizontal individualism and collectivism. Vertical collectivism includes perceiving the selfas a part (or an aspect) of a collective and accepting inequalities within the collective. Horizontal collectivism includes perceiving the self as a part of the collective, but seeing all members of the collective as the same; thus equality is stressed. Vertical individualism includes the conception of an autonomous individual and acceptance of inequality. Horizontal individualism includes the conception of an autonomous individual and emphasis on equality. Measurement of these constructs is preferable theoretically and empirically (better internal consistency) to either of the more general constructs of individualism and collectivism or the constituent elements of these constructs, such as self-reliance, hedonism, family integrity, and so on. The usefulness of these theoretical distinctions is demonstrated and their implications are discussed.