Collectivist Behaviour Patterns Portrayed by Waymond Wang in the Movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Collectivism shapes behaviour patterns by reinforcing group-oriented actions through behaviourist principles, highlighting its significance in maintaining social harmony and cultural continuity. Using Harry C. Triandis’s Vertical-Horizontal Individualism-Collectivism (1995) theory as the theoretical framework, this study conducts an in-depth exploration of the collectivist behaviour patterns exhibited by the characters in the movie, focusing on how their interactions, decision-making processes, and expressions of loyalty and obligation reflect the dimensions of vertical and horizontal collectivism. This study seeks to analyse and compare the collectivist behaviour patterns portrayed by Waymond Wang in the movie 'Everything Everywhere All At Once’ (2022). Using qualitative content analysis, this study explores the relationship between cultural values and collectivist behaviours, along with the patterns that form from these influences. The findings of this study highlight that Waymond Wang exemplifies horizontal collectivism by valuing equality, mutual support and respect between in-group members and maintaining harmonious relationships. The implication of the study is to examine the diversity of collectivistic behaviour within the same cultural background, offering valuable insights for researchers, educators and students on human behaviour, cultural values and the influence of upbringing on social interaction.

behaviour, cultural values, collectivism

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