The Effects of Individualism and Collectivism on the Motivation of Turkish and American Doctoral Students: A Counterculture Study

Authors : Yasin Turan, Kemal Duruhan

Pages : 346-356

View : 158 | Download : 284

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Among the existing studies, the rate of cross-cultural research conducted in higher education, especially at the doctoral level, is quite low. It is considered that comparing doctoral students’ views on doctoral education within the context of different cultural codes will help bridge the knowledge gap in this area. This study aims to reveal how Turkish and American doctoral students’ views on their motivation to pursue a PhD and the factors affecting these motivations differ in terms of individualist and collectivist characteristics. This study, conducted using the qualitative research method, is structured using the Phenomenology model. A semi-structured interview form was used in the research. The purposive sampling method of criterion sampling was employed in forming the study group. Data were collected from 21 Turkish and 21 American doctoral students who met the specified criteria. It is found out that Turkish and American students have motivational sources as well as factors affecting their motivation level that are in parallel with the characteristics of the society in which they were raised. While this situation is observed more clearly for American students, for Turkish students, it is seen that collectivist and individualist codes are intertwined. The research has demonstrated the importance of considering cultural characteristics in the planning and implementation of doctoral education, as well as the fact that doctoral students may approach the doctoral process differently due to differences arising from their cultural traits
Keywords : Bireycilik, Toplumculuk, Doktora eğitimi, Kültürel farklılıklar

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