Collectivistic Trends

The definition shows the difference between individualistic cultures and collectivistic cultures.

The table shows the correlation between individualistic/collectivistic factors and characteristics in society, like the prevalence of infectious diseases. The prevalence of infectious diseases is negatively correlated with divorce rate/marriage rate, people living alone, single child/ multi child families, and older people living alone. As well as with individualist words in books and unique naming of boys and girls. Indicating that a culture becomes more collectivistic during a high prevalence of infectious disease.

When there is a prevalence of infectious disease in a community, individuals tend to be more altruistic towards their in-group members.

The graphs show an overall increase in individualistic factors over time. When there is a significant crisis, like during World War 2, the effects on society can be seen in factors of individualism and collectivism faster than the normal 10-year gap. World War 2 was around 1940 and the graphs for "Single- vs multi-child family", "Living alone", and "Multigenerational households" show a sudden decrease during 1940 and the years after. Also note how these changes are relatively short term and the trend goes back to increase in individualism after a few years.

Another graph showing the overall trend of increased individualistic values and practices over time.

A quote from the newspaper "The Local" which shows one of the changes that have occurred in the Norwegian culture because of the coronavirus: people are better at waiting in lines.