Context-Specific Measurement of Individualism-Collectivism on the Individual Level

Abstract

Cross-cultural research would be greatly aided by the availability of psychometrically sound measures of meaningful cultural dimensions of variability on the individual level. We report six studies that establish the validity and reliability of an individual-based assessment inventory of individualistic versus collectivistic tendencies in four social relationships (the Individualism-Collectivism Interpersonal Assessment Inventory-ICIAI). The results of the first five studies provide strong evidence for the reliability and validity of the ICIAI. The sixth study, including data from four different countries and four different ethnic groups within the United States, demonstrate the utility of the ICIAI to map cultural differences in multiple contexts and rating domains.