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Wednesday, August 21, 2024
September 11…Individualism in U.S. Culture
What other classes have you had in which individualism was discussed? How was it talked about? Is it seen largely as a good thing or a bad thing? If you haven’t encountered it in other classes, react to what you read in the chapter.
I haven't had any other classes that explicitly discussed individualism, but my professor for my UNIV 112 class implicitly brought it to our attention. She didn't use the word "individualism," but emphasized how we are our own selves and it's important to practice the uniqueness of our being. She also encouraged us to put ourselves first when necessary as well as take care of ourselves. The class simply nodded in agreement and relief that a professor cared so much about us caring about ourselves. She viewed individualism positively and expressed it as so. I think individualism is seen largely as a good thing because it emphasizes being one's self in comparison to the terms independent or self-reliant. Individualism seems to be the more positive practice of being unapologetically yourself and being proud of it as opposed to independence and self-reliance.
There has been no classes where individualism has been discussed except for my UNIV class that I took last semester. He brought the topic up, but I never really heard of the word before. I can understand what it means based on context, but I never actively never learned the term before. I think for the most part it is seen as a good thing. I say this because of not relying on anyone but yourself, which is a cool trait to have. However, I can see where the problem can occur when people say it's a bad thing. Meaning that you are lonely and you can't work with anyone else but yourself, meaning your social skills are lacking.
One class I discussed individualism in was my GSWS 201 (Gender, Sexuality, and Women Studies) class. We talked about how personal identities and experiences intersect with societal norms and structures. Also about how individuals navigate and assert their gender and sexual identities, which often challenge traditional roles and expectations. In that class, I would say individualism is seen as a good thing, it can be seen as a positive way of self-expression and empowerment.
In my psychology class, we've discussed how our minds are all individual and different. We process information differently and perceive things differently. In my UNIV200 class, we've discussed our different traits and personalities. Not one of my professors has described it as individualism, but it dances around that term. From how we've discussed individualism, I see it as a good thing. If everyone was the same, then there would be no diversity.
I have discussed individualism in my psychology, sociology, Black studies, and Intro to Philosophy class in high school. In these classes, individualism was pretty much talked about the same but it was in the context of the class. We understand the basic definition of individualism, why it is important, why it happens, and how it affects yourself or society. It was used in a positive context but it challenged the way that society always thinks. How our personal thoughts and values are allowed to be expressed even if they are different from what is the norm. There is not much that I remember from those lessons on it, but I remember discussing it in some way.
Some classes that I have taken here at VCU where we have discussed individualism are univ 111 and 112, the university college intro classes, and rels 208 which was human spirituality. Throughout each class individualism was spoken about in a way of how your self identity affected other parts of your life or you out look on different situations. Mainly in the human spirituality class it was talked about in the way of how individualism affects the larger society. How if everyone is too centered within themselves what that does to a group of people. I think that overall individualism has its negative and positive effects just like most things in this world. Like it is okay to have a good sense of your own self identity, but when the line is crossed and it turns into everything has to be good for me and none else it turns into a dangerous type of thinking that is not good for the whole of society which I believe benefits from having well rounded diverse individuals.
Individualism has been discussed in my psychology class, and It encompasses the universal desire to stand out, make autonomous decisions, and lead a life on our terms. This experience often needs more consideration. In Western societies, individualism is ingrained, promoting self-expression, pursuing personal aspirations, and celebrating individual autonomy. However, there are nuanced aspects to consider beyond these ideals. Growing up in an African culture, I have seen a different take on individualism. In many African and Asian countries, people often think about the needs of the family and community before their own. They care about everyone's well-being while still pursuing their own goals. I was brought up understanding that what one person achieves reflects on their whole family or community. This idea encourages us to balance our dreams with the greater good of the community, which has always been important to me.
I learned about individualism in my educational psychology class freshman year. It was talked about in the sense of learning, and how practicing individualism can help students strive to reach personal accomplishments on their own, rather than in a group. Through individualism an educator, we are taught to tweak our teaching practices to fit different students' way of learning, ensuring academic success for everyone. Every student has something different about them and they have very unique and individualized traits, so including these differences into each child's education is significant.
I know there have been a couple classes I have taken that have brushed upon individualism and in most contexts it's been about embracing individualism and what happens as a result. Bulman talks about individualism not being only an american thing, but being at the core of what america is and I thought this was interesting. America was founded because the people wanted to separate from the rule of England and Great Britain and be their own individual, so of course individualism is at the core of America.
In my classes, I've seen individualism discussed in different ways depending on the subject. In sociology and anthropology, it's seen as an important part of Western culture. It's praised for allowing people to express themselves and have personal freedom but also criticized for causing isolation and competition and weakening community connections. In ethics and philosophy, individualism is compared to collectivism, where the focus is on balancing personal rights with the good of the community. While it promotes independence, it can also lead to problems like inequality and feeling disconnected from society. If I hadn’t learned about this before, I’d be interested in how society views individualism, which is often seen as good for giving people freedom but also as potentially harmful for social unity.
In my environmental Science, individual actions can be seen as both a potential solution and a challenge to collective environmental efforts. There's often discussion about individual responsibility in terms of sustainability practices, but also the limitations of relying solely on personal choices for systemic environmental change. Individualism here could be seen as good in terms of personal accountability but potentially negative when it detracts from the need for larger societal or policy-driven action. In my business classes, individualism often carries a more positive connotation, as it aligns with concepts of entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. Business culture in many places promotes individual ambition and success as drivers of economic growth. However, there may also be critiques of extreme individualism, especially when it fosters competition over collaboration or ignores broader social responsibilities.
The first class that comes to mind is Focused inquiry. Basically, everything in that class is to do with individualism as well as similarities. We talked about different backgrounds and different events in history and what makes up our identities. I think it's usually always a good thing to talk about individualism and how each of us are different. In focused inquiry we discussed where we are all from and how it affected our identity, and it was so interesting to see how we all grew up and how we describe our identity. We also talked about how history can shape our identity and how we live today.
In my Intro to gender, sexualtiy & wmns study we touched on individualism on a feminine standpoint such as discrimination against women and gender equality. Individualism can be viewed differently from each individual. I believe individualism is largely seen as a good thing. I personally see individualism as something good since it sets an ambition for individuals to strive and promote their uniqueness in society.
In psychology, individualism is frequently discussed concerning human development, motivation, and self-concept. It is usually presented as a value system that emphasizes personal autonomy, self-expression, and independence. While these qualities are often viewed positively, promoting creativity and self-determination, there is also recognition of the potential downsides, such as increased anxiety, stress, and pressure to succeed without adequate support from others.
Individualism has been mentioned in almost every psychology class that I've taken because it relates to personality development, social behavior, and identity formation. It is typically regarded positively because it is explained to promote personal autonomy and self-expression, but it has also been criticised for potentially leading to isolation and decreased social cohesion.
Individualism has been briefly touched on in a few of my classes but I have never had a class where it has been discussed in depth. I think individualism can be good and bad. It can be good because it can set you apart from others and it emphasizes that everyone is their own person. A way that I think it can be bad is because some people take it too far and think that their individualism puts them above others or makes the world revolve around them which is simply not true. I do think individuality is generally a good thing though because the world would be so boring if everyone conformed to the same mold.
I have not had any other classes that has talked about individualism that I can remember. However, I think it is important for people to know what it means. I feel everyone is their own person. There is no person that is the same as somebody else. I also feel it is important knowing who you really are as a person.
Individualism has been discussed in my univ and psychology class, though we really only went in depth in the psychology class. It was talked about in a good manner and encouraged. It was explained as something that everyone should have. Humans thrive in places they feel heard and cared for so everyone should have some form of individualism.
Juliet: I think that "individualism" and "individuality" are often mixed up when participating in class discussions. Individuality is related to the identity of an individual, and how they express themselves and stand out from others. Individualism is a social concept that is alive and thriving in the United States. It's essentially if you took the phrase, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few," and reversed it. In America, there's this unrealistic idea that if you just work hard, you will succeed. Individualism puts the responsibility on the individual to grow and become successful, which manifests into this idea that asking for help or needing help means you are weak and incapable. As Bulman explains in chapter 2, rather than encouraging individuality, individualism, ironically, tends to put people in these boxes that they have to try and fit in to be able to be viewed as a "successful individual."
Ashley Morris: I can’t recall a specific class prior to this one where individualism was discussed. In Bulman Ch 2 I found it interesting how many different factors go into individualism in American society. I believe that some of these factors have overall made improvements within our culture, for example democracy in this country has lead to the citizens having the confidence that the fate of this country is in the hands of its people. While the two party system and electoral college are definitely not perfect, our democracy encourages American citizens take a stand on issues they believe matter in order to make changes. I also believe some contributors of individualism in America have had negative impacts on our culture. Specifically, the expansion of the western frontier and manifest destiny has lead to a sense of entitlement and standoffishness in U.S citizens, specially those with conservative values or who are from more rural areas. The sense of rugged individualism and belief that it is our God given right to own land even if it previously belonged to people who were indigenous to it has created a strong fear of immigrants as well as hostility towards strangers and a strong desire to “stand your ground” among many Americans.
I have not really heard the term individualism in any of my other classes but I think it is very important for students to know what it means. I think it should be talked about more considering the fact that most people have not talked about it in any other class. I think its important for individualism to be talked about as it is good to know who you are as a person.
Individualism has been discussed in both my AFAM 111 class as well as my UNIV 112 class. It is seen largely as a good thing, however, we discussed in both classes how there are forces that are trying to put constraints upon expression of individuality. Our society claims to invite individuality, however, it also ostracizes those who are seen as "other." There has to be some sort of balance.
I have had several fashion classes that addressed the concept of individualism. The discussion emphasized the significance of expressing individualism rather than focusing on its formal definition. I believe that individualism is perceived more positively than negatively. The chapter is intriguing, emphasizing the intricate relationship between middle-class beliefs and adolescent development, particularly how individualism influences the experiences and identities of youth during their formative years.
Aliyah Ibrahim: Individualism may be talked in two different ways. It could be proposed as a good things as individuals think for themselves in order to improve their independence and think for themselves. On the other hand individualism can be talked in a foul sense like a lack of teamwork, including other, sharing ideas as the result of thinking too much about oneself. Overall it could come across as a personal freedom or selfishness.
In my classes, I've come across various interpretations of individualism based on the subject matter. In sociology, it's considered a central element of Western culture. It's valued for promoting self-expression and personal freedom, but also criticized for fostering isolation, competition, and weakening social bonds. In ethics and philosophy, individualism is often contrasted with collectivism, where the emphasis is on balancing individual rights with the collective good. While individualism supports independence, it can also result in challenges such as inequality and social disconnection. If I hadn’t been exposed to this before, I would be intrigued by society's take on individualism, which is often viewed as beneficial for personal freedom but potentially harmful to social unity.
I haven’t taken a specific class where individualism was discussed, but I would like to share my personal opinion on the topic of individualism. I believe individualism is important and deserves more discussion. Everyone should have a sense of individuality, which can be a positive aspect of life; However, I know that it can quickly turn negative. There’s a fine line between collectivism and individualism; when someone becomes overly focused on their own needs, they become biased or selfish, making it toxic. Additionally, I know there’s a distinction between individualism and individuality. Individuality refers to a single person's unique identity and how they perceive themselves, while individualism is a broader social and political concept that focuses on a set of beliefs and practices. Both concepts are important, but there are differences that make them special in their own ways.
I am taking a class right now that talks about individualism, and I think it is seen largely as a good thing. My teacher puts it in his lessons most of the time and shows us a new way to look at it. but I do think it could result in social disconnection to things.
I haven't had any other classes that explicitly discussed individualism, but my professor for my UNIV 112 class implicitly brought it to our attention. She didn't use the word "individualism," but emphasized how we are our own selves and it's important to practice the uniqueness of our being. She also encouraged us to put ourselves first when necessary as well as take care of ourselves. The class simply nodded in agreement and relief that a professor cared so much about us caring about ourselves. She viewed individualism positively and expressed it as so.
ReplyDeleteI think individualism is seen largely as a good thing because it emphasizes being one's self in comparison to the terms independent or self-reliant. Individualism seems to be the more positive practice of being unapologetically yourself and being proud of it as opposed to independence and self-reliance.
There has been no classes where individualism has been discussed except for my UNIV class that I took last semester. He brought the topic up, but I never really heard of the word before. I can understand what it means based on context, but I never actively never learned the term before. I think for the most part it is seen as a good thing. I say this because of not relying on anyone but yourself, which is a cool trait to have. However, I can see where the problem can occur when people say it's a bad thing. Meaning that you are lonely and you can't work with anyone else but yourself, meaning your social skills are lacking.
ReplyDeleteOne class I discussed individualism in was my GSWS 201 (Gender, Sexuality, and Women Studies) class. We talked about how personal identities and experiences intersect with societal norms and structures.
ReplyDeleteAlso about how individuals navigate and assert their gender and sexual identities, which often challenge traditional roles and expectations. In that class, I would say individualism is seen as a good thing, it can be seen as a positive way of self-expression and empowerment.
In my psychology class, we've discussed how our minds are all individual and different. We process information differently and perceive things differently. In my UNIV200 class, we've discussed our different traits and personalities. Not one of my professors has described it as individualism, but it dances around that term. From how we've discussed individualism, I see it as a good thing. If everyone was the same, then there would be no diversity.
ReplyDeleteI have discussed individualism in my psychology, sociology, Black studies, and Intro to Philosophy class in high school. In these classes, individualism was pretty much talked about the same but it was in the context of the class. We understand the basic definition of individualism, why it is important, why it happens, and how it affects yourself or society. It was used in a positive context but it challenged the way that society always thinks. How our personal thoughts and values are allowed to be expressed even if they are different from what is the norm. There is not much that I remember from those lessons on it, but I remember discussing it in some way.
ReplyDeleteSome classes that I have taken here at VCU where we have discussed individualism are univ 111 and 112, the university college intro classes, and rels 208 which was human spirituality. Throughout each class individualism was spoken about in a way of how your self identity affected other parts of your life or you out look on different situations. Mainly in the human spirituality class it was talked about in the way of how individualism affects the larger society. How if everyone is too centered within themselves what that does to a group of people. I think that overall individualism has its negative and positive effects just like most things in this world. Like it is okay to have a good sense of your own self identity, but when the line is crossed and it turns into everything has to be good for me and none else it turns into a dangerous type of thinking that is not good for the whole of society which I believe benefits from having well rounded diverse individuals.
ReplyDeleteIndividualism has been discussed in my psychology class, and It encompasses the universal desire to stand out, make autonomous decisions, and lead a life on our terms. This experience often needs more consideration. In Western societies, individualism is ingrained, promoting self-expression, pursuing personal aspirations, and celebrating individual autonomy. However, there are nuanced aspects to consider beyond these ideals.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in an African culture, I have seen a different take on individualism. In many African and Asian countries, people often think about the needs of the family and community before their own. They care about everyone's well-being while still pursuing their own goals. I was brought up understanding that what one person achieves reflects on their whole family or community. This idea encourages us to balance our dreams with the greater good of the community, which has always been important to me.
I learned about individualism in my educational psychology class freshman year. It was talked about in the sense of learning, and how practicing individualism can help students strive to reach personal accomplishments on their own, rather than in a group. Through individualism an educator, we are taught to tweak our teaching practices to fit different students' way of learning, ensuring academic success for everyone. Every student has something different about them and they have very unique and individualized traits, so including these differences into each child's education is significant.
ReplyDeleteI know there have been a couple classes I have taken that have brushed upon individualism and in most contexts it's been about embracing individualism and what happens as a result. Bulman talks about individualism not being only an american thing, but being at the core of what america is and I thought this was interesting. America was founded because the people wanted to separate from the rule of England and Great Britain and be their own individual, so of course individualism is at the core of America.
ReplyDeleteIn my classes, I've seen individualism discussed in different ways depending on the subject. In sociology and anthropology, it's seen as an important part of Western culture. It's praised for allowing people to express themselves and have personal freedom but also criticized for causing isolation and competition and weakening community connections. In ethics and philosophy, individualism is compared to collectivism, where the focus is on balancing personal rights with the good of the community. While it promotes independence, it can also lead to problems like inequality and feeling disconnected from society. If I hadn’t learned about this before, I’d be interested in how society views individualism, which is often seen as good for giving people freedom but also as potentially harmful for social unity.
ReplyDeleteIn my environmental Science, individual actions can be seen as both a potential solution and a challenge to collective environmental efforts. There's often discussion about individual responsibility in terms of sustainability practices, but also the limitations of relying solely on personal choices for systemic environmental change. Individualism here could be seen as good in terms of personal accountability but potentially negative when it detracts from the need for larger societal or policy-driven action.
ReplyDeleteIn my business classes, individualism often carries a more positive connotation, as it aligns with concepts of entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. Business culture in many places promotes individual ambition and success as drivers of economic growth. However, there may also be critiques of extreme individualism, especially when it fosters competition over collaboration or ignores broader social responsibilities.
The first class that comes to mind is Focused inquiry. Basically, everything in that class is to do with individualism as well as similarities. We talked about different backgrounds and different events in history and what makes up our identities. I think it's usually always a good thing to talk about individualism and how each of us are different. In focused inquiry we discussed where we are all from and how it affected our identity, and it was so interesting to see how we all grew up and how we describe our identity. We also talked about how history can shape our identity and how we live today.
ReplyDeleteChristian Harper I forgot to put my name.
DeleteIn my Intro to gender, sexualtiy & wmns study we touched on individualism on a feminine standpoint such as discrimination against women and gender equality. Individualism can be viewed differently from each individual. I believe individualism is largely seen as a good thing. I personally see individualism as something good since it sets an ambition for individuals to strive and promote their uniqueness in society.
ReplyDeleteIn psychology, individualism is frequently discussed concerning human development, motivation, and self-concept. It is usually presented as a value system that emphasizes personal autonomy, self-expression, and independence. While these qualities are often viewed positively, promoting creativity and self-determination, there is also recognition of the potential downsides, such as increased anxiety, stress, and pressure to succeed without adequate support from others.
ReplyDeleteIndividualism has been mentioned in almost every psychology class that I've taken because it relates to personality development, social behavior, and identity formation. It is typically regarded positively because it is explained to promote personal autonomy and self-expression, but it has also been criticised for potentially leading to isolation and decreased social cohesion.
ReplyDeleteIndividualism has been briefly touched on in a few of my classes but I have never had a class where it has been discussed in depth. I think individualism can be good and bad. It can be good because it can set you apart from others and it emphasizes that everyone is their own person. A way that I think it can be bad is because some people take it too far and think that their individualism puts them above others or makes the world revolve around them which is simply not true. I do think individuality is generally a good thing though because the world would be so boring if everyone conformed to the same mold.
ReplyDeleteI have not had any other classes that has talked about individualism that I can remember. However, I think it is important for people to know what it means. I feel everyone is their own person. There is no person that is the same as somebody else. I also feel it is important knowing who you really are as a person.
ReplyDeleteIndividualism has been discussed in my univ and psychology class, though we really only went in depth in the psychology class. It was talked about in a good manner and encouraged. It was explained as something that everyone should have. Humans thrive in places they feel heard and cared for so everyone should have some form of individualism.
ReplyDeleteJuliet:
ReplyDeleteI think that "individualism" and "individuality" are often mixed up when participating in class discussions. Individuality is related to the identity of an individual, and how they express themselves and stand out from others. Individualism is a social concept that is alive and thriving in the United States. It's essentially if you took the phrase, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few," and reversed it. In America, there's this unrealistic idea that if you just work hard, you will succeed. Individualism puts the responsibility on the individual to grow and become successful, which manifests into this idea that asking for help or needing help means you are weak and incapable. As Bulman explains in chapter 2, rather than encouraging individuality, individualism, ironically, tends to put people in these boxes that they have to try and fit in to be able to be viewed as a "successful individual."
Ashley Morris:
ReplyDeleteI can’t recall a specific class prior to this one where individualism was discussed. In Bulman Ch 2 I found it interesting how many different factors go into individualism in American society. I believe that some of these factors have overall made improvements within our culture, for example democracy in this country has lead to the citizens having the confidence that the fate of this country is in the hands of its people. While the two party system and electoral college are definitely not perfect, our democracy encourages American citizens take a stand on issues they believe matter in order to make changes. I also believe some contributors of individualism in America have had negative impacts on our culture. Specifically, the expansion of the western frontier and manifest destiny has lead to a sense of entitlement and standoffishness in U.S citizens, specially those with conservative values or who are from more rural areas. The sense of rugged individualism and belief that it is our God given right to own land even if it previously belonged to people who were indigenous to it has created a strong fear of immigrants as well as hostility towards strangers and a strong desire to “stand your ground” among many Americans.
I have not really heard the term individualism in any of my other classes but I think it is very important for students to know what it means. I think it should be talked about more considering the fact that most people have not talked about it in any other class. I think its important for individualism to be talked about as it is good to know who you are as a person.
ReplyDeleteIndividualism has been discussed in both my AFAM 111 class as well as my UNIV 112 class. It is seen largely as a good thing, however, we discussed in both classes how there are forces that are trying to put constraints upon expression of individuality. Our society claims to invite individuality, however, it also ostracizes those who are seen as "other." There has to be some sort of balance.
ReplyDeleteI have had several fashion classes that addressed the concept of individualism. The discussion emphasized the significance of expressing individualism rather than focusing on its formal definition. I believe that individualism is perceived more positively than negatively. The chapter is intriguing, emphasizing the intricate relationship between middle-class beliefs and adolescent development, particularly how individualism influences the experiences and identities of youth during their formative years.
ReplyDeleteAliyah Ibrahim: Individualism may be talked in two different ways. It could be proposed as a good things as individuals think for themselves in order to improve their independence and think for themselves. On the other hand individualism can be talked in a foul sense like a lack of teamwork, including other, sharing ideas as the result of thinking too much about oneself. Overall it could come across as a personal freedom or selfishness.
ReplyDeleteIn my classes, I've come across various interpretations of individualism based on the subject matter. In sociology, it's considered a central element of Western culture. It's valued for promoting self-expression and personal freedom, but also criticized for fostering isolation, competition, and weakening social bonds. In ethics and philosophy, individualism is often contrasted with collectivism, where the emphasis is on balancing individual rights with the collective good. While individualism supports independence, it can also result in challenges such as inequality and social disconnection. If I hadn’t been exposed to this before, I would be intrigued by society's take on individualism, which is often viewed as beneficial for personal freedom but potentially harmful to social unity.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t taken a specific class where individualism was discussed, but I would like to share my personal opinion on the topic of individualism. I believe individualism is important and deserves more discussion. Everyone should have a sense of individuality, which can be a positive aspect of life; However, I know that it can quickly turn negative. There’s a fine line between collectivism and individualism; when someone becomes overly focused on their own needs, they become biased or selfish, making it toxic. Additionally, I know there’s a distinction between individualism and individuality. Individuality refers to a single person's unique identity and how they perceive themselves, while individualism is a broader social and political concept that focuses on a set of beliefs and practices. Both concepts are important, but there are differences that make them special in their own ways.
ReplyDeleteI am taking a class right now that talks about individualism, and I think it is seen largely as a good thing. My teacher puts it in his lessons most of the time and shows us a new way to look at it. but I do think it could result in social disconnection to things.
ReplyDelete