What term describes prioritizing individual interests over the collective interests of a group?

The term that describes prioritizing individual interests over the collective interests of a group is individualism. In cultures characterized by individualism, personal goals and desires are emphasized, allowing individuals to pursue their own interests and express themselves independently. This contrasts with collectivist cultures, where the group's needs and goals take precedence over individual wishes.

Understanding individualism is important in various contexts, such as business and intercultural communication. In an individualistic society, people may be more inclined to take risks, assert their opinions, and value personal achievements, which can influence workplace dynamics and teamwork.

The other concepts, such as uncertainty avoidance, masculinity, and power distance, relate to different dimensions of cultural behavior and societal organization but do not specifically capture the essence of prioritizing individual over collective interests. Uncertainty avoidance deals with how societies handle unpredictability; masculinity describes the distribution of emotional roles between genders; and power distance relates to how power and authority are distributed and accepted. None of these concepts directly address the focus on individual interests in contrast to group interests.