Demographic Correlates of Individualism and Collectivism

Abstract

The demographic correlates of idiocentrism and allocentrism (the within-culture measures of individualism and collectivism) were investigated in Sri Lanka. A sample of 438 Sri Lankan respondents, from a wide variety of demographic contexts, provided data for the study. Factor analysis revealed that idiocentrism and allocentrism in Sri Lanka are independent, unipolar factors, rather than opposites on a single, bipolar dimension. Socioeconomic status was a strong negative correlate of allocentrism, and urban residence was a strong positive correlate of idiocentrism; English language fluency, overseas experience, age, occupational status, and educational level were also correlated with the value syndromes. The findings were discussed both within the context of Sri Lankan culture and in terms of their applicability to other cultural settings.