CULTURAL IMPACT ON FORMATION OF SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

Culture encompasses the shared beliefs, values, customs, traditions, and behaviours of a particular group of people. Language, art, religion, food, social customs, music, and many other elements that characterise a community’s way of life are all included in this complex idea. Culture is dynamic and changes throughout time as a result of social, cultural, and environmental factors. Understanding the many ways that individuals interact and relate to one another in society requires an understanding of various cultures.

While studying the complexities of culture, one is forced to face the sobering fact that these distinct identities are essential in forming social interactions. Every cultural aspect adds colour to the canvas of social interactions, affecting how people see, speak, and relate to each other. Cultures act as both barriers and bridges in the complex network of social interactions, whether via the help of language, the resonance of artistic manifestations, or the sacredness of traditions and religions.

Owing to the pervasive cultural differences, many aspects of the society’s functioning are affected. How people shop, dress, conduct business, learn, all can be influenced by whether they are from a collectivist or an individualistic culture. One such key aspect is human behavior as social beings. Before beginning with the cultural impact on relationships, it is important to understand how culture affects the way we see ourselves.

People from individualistic cultures are more likely to have an independent view of themselves. They often see themselves as separate from others, define themselves based on their personal traits, and see their characteristics as relatively stable and unchanging. On the other hand, people from collectivistic cultures are more likely to have an interdependent view of themselves. They see themselves as connected to others, define themselves in terms of relationships with others, and see their characteristics as more likely to change across different contexts.

Therefore, in each culture, people identify themselves differently; and a huge part of this is determined by the values of the culture. This has a direct impact on the formation and maintenance of social relationships.

Individualism consists of a loosely knit social framework where people tend to value independence, personal achievement, and self-interest. They are expected to take care of themselves and their immediate families only.

In collectivistic cultures, individuals are seen as embedded within their group identity, and the notion of a separate, autonomous self is deemphasized. Collectivistic cultures give more importance to social harmony and group cohesiveness. People tend to value group needs and respectfulness over individual needs. Hence, people in collectivistic cultures prioritize their ingroup relationships and have more harmonious ingroup interactions than in individualistic cultures. 

Each culture has its own social dynamics. In individualistic cultures, relationships are often seen as voluntary. It is not uncommon to choose to end relationships that are not beneficial. On the other hand, relationships in collectivistic cultures are often seen as more stable and permanent. As mentioned earlier, collectivistic cultures emphasize the needs and goals of the group as a whole over the needs and desires of each individual. In such cultures, relationships with other members of the group and the interconnectedness between people play a central role in each person’s identity. Maintaining harmony within interpersonal relationships is of utmost importance in a collectivistic culture. This is likely because these relationships are extremely difficult to change. Failing to keep the peace can mean long-term unhappiness for everyone involved.

Another major aspect of culture that affects us humans is communication. Communication patterns are greatly influenced by cultural backgrounds. While indirect or implicit communication is the norm in certain cultures, direct communication is valued in others. For example, in Japan, people may communicate covertly to preserve peace through a practice known as “tatemae” (public facade) and “honne” (real feelings).

Then comes hierarchy. Distinct cultures frequently have distinct ideas about hierarchy and respect. For instance, obeying elders and other authority figures is highly valued in many East Asian cultures, but egalitarian societies—like those in some Scandinavian countries—have a more flattened hierarchy and place greater emphasis on equality in social interactions.

Cultural standards have a big influence on how conflicts are handled and resolved. Certain cultures steer clear of direct confrontation and instead use indirect communication or mediation to resolve conflicts. Roles and expectations regarding gender in relationships are frequently set by cultures as well. While some cultures are more permissive of gender norms, others are more rigid. For instance, in traditional communities, women may handle home duties while males are expected to be the main providers of income. Nonetheless, a lot of civilizations are changing these opinions as we enter the new generation.

In conclusion,  when it comes to social behavior, collectivism contrasts largely with individualism, in which personal needs take precedence. Collectivism stresses the importance of the community, while individualism is focused on the rights and concerns of each person. Where unity and selflessness or altruism are valued traits in collectivistic cultures, independence and personal identity are promoted in individualistic cultures. Comprehending the various cultural influences aids in recognising the intricacies of interpersonal connections and exchanges. It also emphasizes how important it is to be sensitive to and understanding of other cultures in our globalized society.

References:

How Does Collectivism Affect Social Interactions? A Test of Two Competing Accounts - PubMed

Collectivism, Effects On Relationships : Encyclopedia of Human Relationships

About the authors:

1. Muskaan Kalaria is a second-year student pursuing a BSc in Psychology at NMIMS SDSOS. She is passionate about creating art which is expressed in the form of painting, graphic designing and writing. Her passion for writing started as a method of expressing herself which later progressed into devotion towards scientific reading and writing. She enjoys her free time listening to music and exploring and reading about fascinating topics.

2. Sehej Kaur is a first-year student, currently pursuing B.Sc. Applied Psychology from NMIMS, Mumbai. All that is needed to impress her is to have a similar spectrum of music taste as hers and a collection of serene sky and moon pictures. She has a passionate eye for beauty in the little things of life and loves capturing the subtleness of everyday moments. She likes to pen down her thoughts as it helps her gain mental clarity. She is really meticulous in her work. For her, self-development is not a destination, but a journey.