Individualism is defined as the tendency to foster and promote one’s own independence and self-sufficiency, placing one’s own goals above the objectives of any social unit. Societies such as the United States and Western Europe promote and reward the expression of individual preferences in the making of arbitrary decisions, and the attainment of goals is highly celebrated.
Personal and economic prosperity is equated with personal fulfillment. Individualism is concerned with the construction of the self, defined in contrast to a social group with one’s own unique qualities and attributes. Individualism is a powerful ideology that drives creativity and self-expression; however, it is associated with stark social isolation and emotional distress due to weak social ties.
Individualism does not equate to a lack of social bonds; Individualism is the absence of a social contract. Social contract theory explains the context of obligation relationships, and unifying modern psychological theories and separated social units presents the complexity of the positive and negative aspects of individualism.