Variations in horizontal and vertical individualism-collectivism in four regions of Mexico / Variaciones en el individualismo-colectivismo horizontal y vertical en cuatro regiones de México

Abstract

Abstract Cultures can be analysed through cultural syndromes (shared patterns of beliefs, attitudes, norms, roles and values organized around a theme). One of these syndromes, individualism-collectivism, distinguishes collectivist cultures, which prioritize collective over individual interests, from individualist cultures, which value individual autonomy, achievement and freedom. These dimensions intersect with the horizontal-vertical syndrome, where verticality means the preference for a society organized by hierarchies, in contrast to a horizontal culture, which privileges equality. This paper explores these dimensions using a new instrument in a sample of 990 participants from four regions in Mexico. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses show four theoretically congruent factors with adequate levels of internal consistency reaching metric equivalence criteria in three of the four samples. The scores show greater support for horizontal individualism and less support for vertical collectivism. These results are discussed within the context of a cultural shift towards individualism.