The Importance of Social Context in Cross-Cultural Comparisons: First Graders in Colombia and the United States

Abstract

The authors explored the cultural constructs of individualism and collectivism by investigating the prosocial behavior of 1st graders (N = 202; 110 girls, 92 boys) in countries typically classified as collectivist (Colombia, South America) and individualist (United States). Contrary to expectations, U.S. children shared more than Colombian children did. However, U.S. children were more likely to take candy from another child without permission (demonstrating individualism). Results indicated that in both countries sharing was greater with friends than with other fellow classmates, and children frequently reported friendship as the reason they shared. Findings support the importance of the social context, such as the relationship between participants, in cross-cultural research and suggest that simple dichotomies of culture often overlook complex associations between culture and behavioral differences.

Measuring the willingness-to-pay for others' consumption: An application to joint decisions of children

“…This indicates that intra-dyad friendship effectively does increase the level of altruism: non-selfish children are willing to contribute more to their friends' material consumption. This is exactly what can be expected from friends, and falls in line with the literature (see, for example, Buhrmester, Goldfarb, and Cantrell (1992), Pilgrim and Rueda-Riedle (2002), and Eisenberg, Fabes, and Spinrad (2007)). In a sense, this also indicates that our methodology effectively does produce a sensible measure of altruism.…”

“…In particular, we asked the children to label their relationship with respect to the other dyad member as "(very) strong friendship" or "weak (or no) friendship." According to Eisenberg, Fabes, and Spinrad (2007), the literature suggests that children are more likely to share with friends than with less liked peers (see also Buhrmester, Goldfarb, and Cantrell (1992) and Pilgrim and Rueda-Riedle (2002)). We will investigate this effect in a group consumption context.…”

Mediators and Moderators of Parental Involvement on Substance Use: A National Study of Adolescents

“…For example, the concepts of collectivism and individualism, which have been long studied in the cross-cultural field, have recently appeared in substance use literature (Morgan-Lopez et al, 2003). The emphasis in collectivist societies tends to be on sharing experiences and supporting and helping in-group members, such that the evaluation of one's actions is in terms of the consequences to the in-group (Pilgrim & Rueda-Riedle, 2003). "Individualism," on the other hand, is related to the evaluation of one's actions in terms of consequences to the individual.…”

Measuring the Willingness-to-Pay for Others' Consumption: An Application to Joint Decisions of Children

“…In particular, we asked the children to label their relationship with respect to the other dyad member as "(very) strong friendship" or "weak (or no) friendship". According to Eisenberg et al (2007), the literature suggests that children are more likely to share with friends than with less liked peers (see also Buhrmester et al (1992) and Pilgrim and Rueda-Riedle (2002)). We will investigate this effect in a group consumption context.…”