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.

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Collectivism and individualism are cultural syndromes that have some common cores. Allocentrism and idiocentrism are constructs at the individual level that correspond to collectivism and individualism respectively at the cultural level. In two studies, the first with American (from Illinois) and the second with Japanese subjects, we examined the best way to measure these common cores. We also present the recommended items in two appendices, and provide information about the reliability and convergent validity of the items in these appendices. Finally, we tested the hypothesis that women will be more allocentric than men. We obtained only directional support in the US but fairly good support of this hypothesis in Japan.

Dans cet article, nous suivons l'e volution des concepts qui font partie de la litte rature de ces 50 dernieÁ res anne es sur la formation trans-culturelle en passant en revue quelques e tudes qui ont fait date. ApreÁ s avoir de battu des recherches et pratiques au fil des de cennies, nous poursuivons en identifiant les grands courrants de recherche dans ce domaine et nous livrons aÁ quelques conjonctures suppositions sur les directions qui peuvent eà tre prises dans l'avenir.In this paper we trace the evolution of concepts that have become a part of the cross-cultural training literature in the last 50 years, by reviewing some of the landmark studies. After discussing research and practice in phases of decades, we go on to identify major streams of research in the field, and make some speculation about where the field may be going in future.

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