Reflective Learning Journal October 12 2018

Your name Bersamina, Alyssa M.

date October 12, 2018

Topic Korea as a collectivistic society

In this paper, I’d like to reflect on Korea as a collectivist society. I chose to discuss this
in my paper because I saw that the collectivistic nature of Korean society is repeatedly
mentioned or linked in the subsequent topics like in our discussion of personal ties or
“yonjul” in Korean society. Hence, I felt like this is a good and essential topic to reflect
upon.

Prior to the discussion in the classroom and my own personal research and readings, I
realized that I never fully fathomed the difference between individualism and
collectivism. I just assumed individualistic societies had members only thinking about
Description: themselves and their own personal gain, while collectivistic societies had members
belonging in groups thinking about the group’s gain as a whole. However, now I
What incident, event
understand the difference better. Individualistic societies’ people look not only after
or idea are you going
themselves but also after their direct family. On the other hand, collectivist societies’
to reflect on?
people are part of ‘groups’ that take care of them in exchange for their loyalty. “I” and
“we” are terms that are not clearly differentiated in collectivist societies. Thus,
individuals are not distinguished as members and overlap with each other, in a sense.
What did I learn in
However, psychological boundaries between groups are clear. This is the reason why
this class(over the
Koreans feel that it is almost impossible to define their identity.
past three weeks)
I also learned in class the different implications of being a collectivistic society
particularly in the areas of communication, networking, favoritism and relation in
What did I read for business practices, formal organizations and in general. Generally, as a collectivist
this topic? society, “in-group” favoritism exists and lack of communication and trust exists for
“out-groups”. This is prevalent still in Korea and example situations are ubiquitous.
(apart from the text)
Apart from the text, I read a thesis entitled “Individualism and Collectivism in a Korean
Population” which basically stated in its review of related literature similar
explanations for collectivism like “Koreans show collectivist behaviors only to people
of the in-group; they show individualistic or egoistic behaviors to people of the out-
group”. Also, I read another publication, “The Origin and Function of Dynamic
Collectivism: An Analysis of Korean Corporate Culture” which related the collectivist
nature of Korean society to Koreans’ preference of context communication over
content communications. Thus, non-verbal cues integrated in personal relationships
become very important, giving rise to collectivism.
 The most interesting thing I’ve read is from Han and Ahn (1994) stating that Koreans
“ prefer to ‘immerse themselves in the in-group’s activities’ in order to form a
consensus of opinions rather than respecting the individual opinions”. I searched the
definition of “consensus of opinions” to better understand and I found that consensus
could be synonymous to opinion, which would be redundant. However, I’ve also found

What was the most that the entirety of the phrase “consensus of opinions” could be equated to “general

interesting things I agreement” or not strictly, but close to “unanimity”. Thus, I interpreted it as Koreans

learned and read value approval of collective people that is why they turn to groups that could provide

for this topic- why this. I found it interesting that the collective opinion of a group of people matter so

was that? much that they involve themselves in “in-group” activities and that they give loyalty
to these groups to the extent that the self and the group become indistinguishable.
However, I find it understandable since the opinion of many generally has more impact
compared to the opinion of one, unless of course the lone opinion is given by someone
of power or importance.

A good thing about the experience is that I was able to fully understand why Koreans
are sometimes reluctant to open up to foreigners such as us, or outsiders in general. I
watched a video some time ago an account of a foreigner living in Korea. She says that
although Koreans were talking to her in a friendly and approachable manner, it felt to
Evaluations: what her that they still had their guard up and that there was somewhat like a wall between
was good and bad them. As someone who is in a similar situation right now, I now understand and feel
about the what she is talking about when I am around with Koreans. They are generally nice but
experience? I felt that they befriend and open up to us only up to a certain extent. Although, I feel

. in no way that I gained power of breaking such walls mentioned with the knowledge I
obtained on this topic, I feel as though I am more at peace I knowing why it is the way
What was new or
it is.
surprising to me?

Analysis: Before this class discussions, I initially thought that Korea was a collectivistic society
simply because of tradition or practices that Koreans are used to. I never really thought
What have I changed
much deeply about it. However, I’ve found that the reason for the collectivistic nature
my mind about, as a
of Korean society much more complex like they want a form a consensus of opinions
result of these
or they prefer context communication over content communications, thus, non-verbal
classes?(over last
cues built from personal relationships become important. I also learned over the past
three weeks)
three weeks that the collectivistic nature of Korean society is an important link in
 understanding the Korean society as a whole. It is repeatedly mentioned in the
subsequent topics we learned like in corruption, personal ties and family.

Conclusions In conclusion, Korea is known as a collectivistic society in that people are part of
(general): What can ‘groups’ that take care of them in exchange for their loyalty. They are known to show
be concluded, in a collectivist behaviors to people of the in-group; they show individualistic or egoistic
general sense, from behaviors to people of the out-group. This is a result of wanting a form a consensus of
these experiences opinions or preference of context communication over content communications.
and the analyses you However, values are changing and thus, collectivism is not always applicable. We
have undertaken? could say that there is now the existence of individualism and collectivism in the
society. It ultimately depends on the individual preference.

Personal Action
plans: What could
you do differently in I think that whenever I would feel left out or I am in the position of being an outsider
this type of situation in the presence of collectivist people, I think I would just try to understand and respect
based on what you them.
have learned?

I am still unsure
about……
Something I’d like to learn more about is the advantages and disadvantages or
problems that Korea encountered as a collectivistic society. This is because I am still
unsure whether collectivism helped Korea become successful or not.

New Words

collectivistic It means relating to the practice or principle of giving a group priority over each
individual in it.

individualistic It means showing great independence or individuality in thought or action. an advocate

of individualism.

uncertainty- Uncertainty avoidance deals with a society's tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity;
avoidance it ultimately refers to man's search for Truth. It indicates to what extent a culture
programs its members to feel either uncomfortable or comfortable in unstructured
 situations.

salient It means most noticeable or important.

gaffes Gaffe definition is - a social or diplomatic blunder.

yonjul Yonjul refers to informal and rather particular ties between individuals that exist for a
purpose.

self-assertiveness It means obtrusively energetic especially in pursuing particular goals.

individual- It is a way of thinking and doing things focused on individuals and their own needs.
centeredness

ethnocentrism It is the evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the

standards and customs of one's own culture.

inhwa It is another key principle of South Korean business culture which is defined as
harmony.