5)Other differences between individualism and collectivism
（1）. Identity among collectivists is defined by relationships and group memberships. individualists base identity on what they own and their experiences. （2）.in collectivists cultures the collective is responsible for the wrongdoing of one of its members; in individualist cultures, it is solely the individual who is responsible. （3.）History is more important to collectivists than to individualists. collectivists see themselves as links in a long chain that consists of ancestors and descendants. For individualists, the individual is in the center of the stage---what comes before and after is more or less irrelevant.
The concept of values
In the United states, for example, values might include material comfort, wealth, competition, individualism or religiosity and sex, drugs and rock and roll. the values of a society can often be identified by nothing which people receive honor or respect. In the US, for examples, professional athletes are honored( in the form of monetary payment) more than college professors, in part because the society respects personal vales such as physical activity, fitness, and competitiveness more than mental activity and education.
The concept of values
people who group up in a certain culture share certain values, that does not mean they all share exactly the same values to the same extent; it does mean that most of them. most of the time, agree with each other`s ideas about human nature, social relations, right and wrong. a mainstream culture can be viewed as a collection of values and assumptions that go together to shape the way a group of people perceive and relate to the world around them.
2)The definition of "Individualism"
individualism is a social pattern that consists of loosely liked individuals who view themselves as independent of collectives; are primarily motivated by their own preferences, needs, rights; and the contacts they have established with others; give priority to their personal goals over the goals of others; and emphasize rational analyses of the advantages and disadvantages to associating with others.(Triandis,1995 )
Ⅰ.价值观的启蒙思想 ( Enlighten thinking of values )

其实东西方价值观的是全方面的不同，西方的自然价值观念是由古希腊传 统的自然价值观念、基督教( christianism )传统的自然价值观念发展来的， 而中国的价值观是由道家(Taoist school)的、以及儒家的自然价值观发展来 的。在西方价值观中二元对置乃是关键，它是一种“双重二元对置”：首先 是造物者与造物的二元对置，诸如本体实在与现象的对置、神与万物的对置 之类，例如柏拉图的理念世界与现象世界的对置；然后是人与自然界的二元 对置。这是整个希腊思想、也是整个西方文化的基本构架。 中国价值观中一元存在是关键，不管是道家还是儒家，都认为有一个大 的标准存在，如道家的道和儒家的礼；在这个标准下有一个互相转化的二元 对置，如儒家的王道和霸道的理解，阴阳鱼就是这种思想的体现。这里既没 有人与自然的二元对置，更没有造物与造物主的二元对置。在儒家观念中， 人性也是自然，并永远是自然。人不仅是自然之子，而且还应该是自然的孝 子。这个思想，在张载的《西铭》里有很透彻的表达：“乾称父，坤称母， 予兹藐焉，乃混然而中处……”什么叫做自然的孝子？所谓孝，《中庸》说： “夫孝者，善继人之志，善述人之事者也。”述者，循也，循父母之道也。 这就是说，孝子就是善于继承发展父母未竟的事业；同理，自然的孝子就是 善于继承发展自然未竟的事业。这也就是《周易》所说的“干父之蛊”、 “干母之蛊”。转自： 陨石站 48f
The concept of values
values are ideas about what is right and wrong, desirable and undesirable, normal and abnormal. proper and improper. It also includes the assumptions, the unquestioned givens, about people, life, and the ways things are.
The concept of values
Values are related to the norms of a culture, but they are more general and abstract than norms. Norms（规范，准则） are rules for behavior in specific situations, while values identify what should be judged as good or evil. flying the national flag on the holiday is a norm, but it reflects the values of patriotism, wearing dark clothing and appearing solemn are normative behaviors at a funeral .they reflect the values of respect and support of friends and family.
4.) Individual freedom is probably the most basic of all American values
By "freedom", Americans mean the desire and the ability of all individuals to control their own destiny without outside interference from the government, a ruling noble class, the church, or any other organized authorities.
3)A price to be paid for this individual freedom
self-reliance: Americans believed that they should stand on their own 2 feet, achieving both financial and emotional independence from their parents as early as possible. usually by age 18 or 21.most Americans take considerable pride in their ability to do things for themselves rather relying on help from others. in fact, Americans will sometimes prefer to go through considerable difficulty in order to do something for themselves rather than having others do it for them. on the other hand, Americans expect other people to also be self-reliant