Canadians and Americans: A Comparative Analysis.

Canada and United States exhibit many similarities in their institutions and cultural patterns. On the global basis, there have been more similarities than differences in the institutions and cultural patterns of the two countries. Among their important institutions, for example, the two nations have shared a Jewish-Christian religious tradition, a liberal democratic political ideal and a capitalistic economy. Contributing to similar cultural patterns, there has been a common language and a related geography. In addition, the two countries have shared a British legacy, frontier areas, immigrants of comparable origin from the same historic epoch, and comparable ecological conditions. The comparative hypotheses have been that Americans are greater risk- takers and are more individualistic than Canadians. In contrast, Canadians have been said to be more conservative and more collectively oriented than Americans. Before describing how we have tested these hypotheses, we must indicate how we have expanded upon the modal personality concept.