| **Category** | **Western (Individualist)** | **Honor-Shame (Collectivist)** | | --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Primary Unit** | **Individualism:** The "individual self" is the priority; personal rights and choices are valued. | **Collectivism:** The group is the priority; the group's flourishing is valued over personal preference. | | **Identity Source** | **Internal/Achievement:** Self-defined roles and personal freedom to choose one's path. | **Social Roles:** Roles are assigned by the group; honor is found in fulfilling expectations of that role. | | **View of Time** | **Time-Conscious:** Clock-oriented; time is a limited resource to be managed and controlled. | **Event-Conscious:** People-oriented; an event starts when the right people arrive, not at a specific minute. | | **Communication** | **Direct:** Words are used to transmit information, facts, and logical ideas. | **Indirect:** Words are used to maintain relationships and manage social identity; harmony over logic. | | **Sin/Transgression** | **Guilt:** Breaking a law or being "wrong" according to a standard; requires forgiveness. | **Shame/Defilement:** Bringing disgrace to the group or becoming "dirty"; requires purification. |