Final answer:
The United States is considered a free-choice culture, where individual preferences and choices are highly valued, illustrating an emphasis on independence, personal achievement, and a capitalist economy fueled by historical social and economic changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States is indeed an example of what cross-cultural researchers call a free-choice culture. In a free-choice culture, individual preferences and choices are valued highly, and people generally have the autonomy to make decisions that reflect their own desires and interests. This concept contrasts with collectivist cultures, where group decisions and the welfare of the community are emphasized over individual choice.
According to cross-cultural research, individualist cultures place significant emphasis on independence, competition, and personal achievement, all of which are key characteristics of American society. The market revolution, along with the notion of separate spheres and the Cult of Domesticity, also underscore the United States' commitment to free choice by demonstrating the historical development of a capitalist economy and distinct social classes that value individual success and distinguish themselves through personal and economic freedoms.