From competition to autonomy: rethinking individualism in education

Western cultures, unlike Eastern cultures, place greater emphasis on individualism, which directly influences educational approaches. This reflection looks at the impact of the two forms of individualism — vertical and horizontal — on student motivation and learning strategies, while emphasizing the potential of tutoring as a way to promote autonomy over competition. [1]

Difference between individualism and collectivism

Individualism is based on the primacy of the individual, his personal needs and desires. It is a vision that values autonomy and self-assertiveness. In this context, learning tends to rely more on competition, social comparison as well as on the freedom to undertake, explore and experiment.

In contrast, collectivism emphasizes prioritizing the group over personal interests. The individual is perceived to be closely connected to others, and learning is based more on respect for authority, conformity, cooperation, and sharing. In this text, we will pay particular attention to individualism. [2]

Effect of vertical individualism on learning

There are two forms of individualism, the first of which is vertical individualism. This emphasizes competition and, in the school context, is expressed in the ranking of students according to their performance, with rewards awarded only to a minority. This type of system promotes social rivalry between students and has a significant influence on their motivation and school experience. Research suggests that this mode of operation encourages students to adopt performance goals, that is, to aim for superiority over others and to demonstrate their skills in a comparative manner.

These performance goals are often associated with two types of study strategies. The first is a superficial approach, such as rote learning or trying to guess exam subjects. The second is cheating, because in a performance-based approach, some students may be tempted to reach their goals by any means. In addition, the pursuit of performance goals can lead to defensive reactions when disagreements occur, which hampers learning and open-mindedness.

Finally, institutions that highly value these performance goals tend to see lower well-being among their students. This type of approach therefore seems to favour learning strategies that are less effective and less sustainable.

Effect of horizontal individualism on learning

The other form of individualism is called horizontal individualism. This trend values independence and autonomy above all, while being based on the idea that all individuals are fundamentally equal. In a learning context, this results in an emphasis on individual freedom to undertake, explore and experiment. Students will thus attach great importance to their autonomy.

It is considered that the more a learning environment supports this autonomy, the more students will be intrinsically motivated by the activities they carry out. This motivation has positive effects on their persistence in the face of challenges, their creativity, and their overall well-being. In this perspective, individual freedom is central. The pedagogical approaches associated with horizontal individualism therefore encourage students to develop by themselves, by promoting their autonomy and their personal commitment.

In current school systems

However, it is essential to note that, in current school systems, vertical individualism tends to be valued more than horizontal individualism. Even if teachers use a discourse that does not promote success at the expense of others, the very functioning of the system continues, more indirectly, to encourage this form of competitive motivation.

That said, this approach should not necessarily be viewed negatively. Giving students the opportunity to make choices and encouraging them to express their views promotes the development of their autonomy, which can increase their interest and engagement in school activities.

Effect of personalized support depending on the context

Tutoring aims to support student learning through personalized support offered outside of class hours, while relying on the content covered in class. It requires a certain degree of autonomy from the student, especially in managing his meetings and in communicating with his tutor to express his difficulties as well as the aspects that he wishes to deepen.

Tutoring favors exercises designed according to the particular needs of the student and relies on regular feedback from the student in order to adapt the pedagogical approaches, in order to maximize their understanding and maintain their interest. Generally taking place one-on-one, tutoring eliminates all forms of competition, with an emphasis on developing the student's sense of competence.

In this sense, tutoring makes it possible to mobilize the positive aspects that are valued in an individualistic society, by actively supporting personal motivation to learn.

Conclusion

Thus, individualism can influence learning in very different ways depending on how it is integrated into educational practices. In this context, tutoring is presented as a concrete solution to enhance the benefits of horizontal individualism, even within school systems that tend to favor vertical individualism. By adopting this perspective, it becomes possible to better support the personal and academic development of students, while maintaining them from a dynamic of permanent competition.

[1] Dambrun, M. and Darnon, C. (2009). Individualism and collectivism in educational practices: ying and yang? https://doi.org/10.3406/diver.2009.3067

[2] Used. (n.d.). Individualism. https://usito.usherbrooke.ca