Research from the Institute of Psychology Reveals Cross-Level Associations Between Clan Systems and Contemporary Collectivism

Individualism–collectivism constitutes a fundamental dimension for explaining behavioral and regional cultural differences. Existing studies have predominantly accounted for such differences through ecological conditions such as climate, population, rice cultivation, and economic factors, with comparatively limited attention to historical institutions. The Chinese lineage system participated in local governance, resource mutual aid, and normative enforcement; however, the association between its regional variation and contemporary collectivism remains quantitatively untested. This study integrates individual-level lineage participation, urban language, and county-level historical political geography through multilevel triangulation, suggesting that explanations of regional cultural differences must incorporate historical institutions.