Massage Therapy Journal Summer 2025

40 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

and has more tolerance for a variety of opinions. UAI tend to be higher in East and Central European countries, Latin countries, Japan and German-speaking countries. UAIs tend to be lower in English-speaking, Nordic and Chinese-culture countries. UAI for the United States is 46 . Dimension 3: Individualism Versus Collectivism This cultural dimension is the degree to which people in a society integrate individuals into groups. On the collectivist side, people are integrated into strong cohesive groups often from birth. Members of these groups (including extended family) protect and look after each other in exchange for unquestioning loyalty. A collaborative spirit prevails over an individual’s

wants and desires, and there is a relational interdependence upon other group members. Individualism is on the other side; there is little integration, and people have loose ties between each other―everyone is relatively independent. A person is expected to look after themselves and their immediate family only, and there is an emphasis on personal autonomy. A high individualism index (IDV) indicates that individuality and individual rights are paramount within the society. A low IDV indicates that societies are more collectivist in nature. IDV tends to be high in developed and Western countries, while IDV tends to be low in less developed and Eastern countries; Japan takes a middle position on this dimension. IDV for the United States is 91 .

Low Uncertainty Avoidance

High Uncertainty Avoidance

Uncertainty inherent in life is accepted, and each day is taken as it comes Ease, lower stress, self-control, low anxiety Higher scores on subjective health and well-being

Uncertainty inherent in life is felt as a continuous threat that must be fought

Higher stress, emotionality, anxiety, neuroticism Lower scores on subjective health and well-being Intolerance of deviant persons and ideas: what is different is dangerous

Tolerance of deviant persons and ideas: what is different is curious Comfortable with ambiguity and chaos

Need for clarity and structure

Teachers may say, “I don’t know”

Teachers supposed to have all the answers

Changing jobs no problem

Staying in jobs even if disliked

Dislike of rules—written or unwritten In religion, philosophy, and science: relativism and empiricism

Emotional need for rules, even if not obeyed In religion, philosophy, and science: belief in ultimate truths and grand theories

High Individualism Uncertainty Avoidance Individualism “I” consciousness Right to privacy

Low Individualism

People are supposed to take care of themselves and their immediate family only

People are born into extended families or clans, which protect them in exchange for loyalty

“We” consciousness Stress on belonging

Speaking one’s mind is healthy

Harmony should always be maintained

Transgression of norms leads to guilt feelings Languages in which the word “I” is indispensable Purpose of education is learning how to learn

Transgression of norms leads to shame feelings Languages in which the word “I” is avoided Purpose of education is learning how to do

Task prevails over relationship

Relationship prevails over task

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