DEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES OF INDIVIDUALISM AND COLLECTIVISM - A STUDY OFSOCIAL VALUES IN SRI-LANKA

The demographic correlates of idiocentrism and allocentrism (the withi n-culture measures of individualism and collectivism) were investigate d in Sri Lanka. A sample of 438 Sri Lankan respondents, from a wide va riety of demographic contexts, provided data for the study. Factor ana lysis revealed that idiocentrism and allocentrism in Sri Lanka are ind ependent, unipolar factors, rather than opposites on a single, bipolar dimension. Socioeconomic status was a strong negative correlate of al locentrism, and urban residence was a strong positive correlate of idi ocentrism; English language fluency, overseas experience, age, occupat ional status, and educational level were also correlated with the valu e syndromes. The findings were discussed both within the context of Sr i Lankan culture and in terms of their applicability to other cultural settings.