A Comparative Study on the Eastern and Western Thought Patterns中西方思维方式对比研究

A Comparative Study on the Eastern and Western ThoughtPatterns——On the Differences between Eastern Collectivism and WesternIndividualismAbstractThere are obvious differences between eastern and western culture and thought patterns. This thesis will compare the differences between eastern collectivism and western individualism. First, I will show the definition of the eastern collectivism and the western individualism. And then, some reasons that cause the eastern collectivism and the western individualism will be discussed. Actually, the differences between eastern collectivism and western individualism appear in many aspects, including education, family, privacy, and so on. It is necessary for us to master the differences when we are faced with the world which is full of cross-culture communication.Key words: Thought patterns collectivism individualismI. The Respective Definition of the Eastern Collectivism and the Western IndividualismCollectivism pertains to societies in which people from birth onwards are integrated into strong cohesive in-groups, which throughout people's lifetime continue to protect them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty. While Individualism pertains to societies in which the ties between individuals are loose. Everyone is expected to look after himself or herself and his or her immediate family. Generally speaking, the values, norms and beliefs associated with Individualism emphasize that every individual is unique. Accordingly, popular comments about individuals tend to be mainly based on their personal achievements, status and other features. By contrast, societies organized along collectivist lines prefer to characterize an individual according to his family, social class, and group. Individualism indicates that a society is a loosely knit social framework while Collectivism indicates a tight social network.II. The Historical Reason of Collectivism and IndividualismThe eastern collectivism and western individualism can be traced back to their histories respectively. Collectivism is always popular in eastern countries, especially in China, and no matter in ancient times or in modern society. Confucianism has great influence on the development of China. His thoughts deeply rooted in people’ mind, and take far-reaching effect on people’ behavior. In Confucius words: “If one wants to establish himself, he should help others to establish themselves at first.” However, in western countries, at that time, nomadic economy developed rapidly with the manorial economy developme nt. The “expansivity” of nomadic economy had become more distinct, which determined that “dispute” inevitably became the key point in western culture. Additionally, the later Renaissance of Europe produced the determined and key influences on the westerner s’ thoughts. Since than, the thoughts of freedom and humanity had impressed on people’s heart deeply. So, individualism has been advocated in western countries.III. The Comparison between Collectivism and Individuals in Many AspectsA.Collectivism and Individualism in terms of EducationIn Chinese education pattern, our parents and teachers told us that we should learn to collaborate with our companies. If we act like that, we will find it easy to finish our tasks. But if we don’t act like that, we will find it difficult to handle the problems. However, people in western countries tend to believe that people should rely on themselves as much as possible, and they usually expect other people to do the same. They are told that they must finish a task by themselves without others’ help. They have an open environment of them own. So when they are faced with problem, they are bound to handle it on their own first instead of asking others for help. They have a sense of individual thinking.B.Collectivism and Individualism in terms of FamilyTake china as an example. Compared to western countries, the divorce rate in China remains at a low level and much lower than that in western countries. Chinese care more about the unity of their families and the relationship of relatives. Besides, in China, there is a common phenomenon that “four generations under one roof”. The children are expected to stay at the parents .As the proverb says “the fallen leaves return to the root” .But in western countries, usually children move out of the parents house by age 20-22. If parents pressure their grown children to continue living at home ,people may say that they are not allowing their children to grow up .And parents in America usually live by themselves rather than move in with their children .Even when one parent dies ,the other may live alone .Many elderly people eventually move to retirement communities or homes where support services are provided them, so they have fewer responsibilities and feel more secure and comfortable .A significant number of retirees move to south where the weather is warm throughout the year .The most popular state for retirees is Florida.C.Collectivism and Individualism in terms of PrivacyIn china, it is seemed to be common that your parents may look up your dairy or listen to your phone by keeping you in the dark in china. But in America, the parents will respect the children. When the young come into their own bedrooms, without their permission, their parents can not enter their bedrooms either. Compared to china, western countries pay much attention to privacy. Privacy is much respected in the United States in terms of social contacts and daily activities. Americans avoid asking questions concerning others’ income, age especially for women and some other sensitive issues when it seems not to be the appropriate time for raising such questions. For instance one won’t ask his friend’s marital or job-seeking developments when his friend is apparently in a very embarrassing or unpleasant mood. Right of Privacy is the right claimed by individuals to control the disclosure of personal information about themselves. It also covers people’s freedom to make their own decisions about their private lives in the face of government attempts to regulate behavior. The Constitution of the United States guarantees a number of privacy rights. The Fifth Amendment, for example, upholds the right to refuse to testify against oneself in a criminal case. The Fourth Amendment protects a person against unreasonable searches and seizures by government officials. The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the Constitution also protects privacy in certain matters relating to marriage, reproduction, birth control, family relationships, and child rearing and education. However, compared to the days in the past, Chinese sense of privacy has been increasing in recent years.D.Collectivism and Individualism in terms of warWhat are worth of being taken notice of soldier different attitudes towards surrender and people different attitudes towards prisoners of war from their countries. For an American, it is natural andunderstandable to yield when he fights to the bitter end and has no bullet .But for Chinese ,to lay down his arms and surrender seems more disgraced than to die ,especially when the enemies are from other countries. In history, countless national heroes at the critical moment of national development abandoned individual interest even disregarded their own lives and families to go through fire and water for the cardinal principle of national interest .The spirit rose and spread by them has adored generation after generation, which has finally been considered into the spiritual tower of Chinese. The patriotism spirit is the chore and soul of our nation.E. Rights of Collectivities and IndividualsIn west, the rights of individuals should not be subordinated to the needs of a larger group, or at least that individuals should have the right to decide for themselves whether to sacrifice their personal benefit for the sake of the group. American people feel that the best way to ensure the well-being of the group is to protect the rights of individuals. In contrast, people in east are generally more willing to accept the idea that individuals should sacrifice for the benefit of the group. When a group of people who comes from China and West make a decision, the Chinese will decide it by raising hands. There is a principle that the minority always subordinates to the majority. In this condition, Western people will make a decision what he want to make, despite of others minds.IV. ConclusionCollectivism and individualism based on different thought patterns have their own features. The differences between collectivism and individualism are related to different features of histories. In collective societies like China, a “we” consciousness prevails and identity is based on the social system. The individual is emotionally dependent on organizations and institutions. Individuals trust a group rather than themselves. They are accustomed to a group to help them make a decision, complete his goal and enhance his confidence. In thought patterns that tend toward individualism, like America, an “I” consciousness prevails and competition rather than cooperation is encouraged. Personal goals take precedence over group goals. people tend not to be emotionally dependent on organizations and institutions, and every individual has the right to his or her private property, thoughts, and opinions. To conclusion, being familiar with the different thought patterns in east and west will benefit us a lot in cross-culture communication.Bibliography:[1] 胡文仲.跨文化交际学概论[M].外语教学与研究出版社.1999[2] 高晨阳.中国传统思维方式研究[M].山东大学出版.1998[3] 林大津.跨文化交际研究与英美人交往指南[J].福建人民出版社.2008[4] 许光华.中国文化概要[M].汉语大词典出版.2002[5] Larry A.Samovar, Richard E.Porter. Communication Between Cultures. 1995[6] Linell Davis. Doing Culture –Cross-cultural Communication in Action. 外语教学与研究出版社.2001。