Final answer:
The statement is False; collectivistic societies prioritize the needs of the society above individual needs, emphasizing communal values and societal welfare over individual autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that collectivistic societies feel the individual's needs should be met before the society's is False.
Collectivistic cultures prioritize the group over the individual. In collectivistic societies, such as those found in many East Asian, Latin American, and African countries, the focus is on communal values, societal harmony, and the welfare of the group as a whole.
This contrasts with individualistic societies like the United States, Australia, and England, where personal freedom, independence, and competition are highly valued. In individualistic cultures, individual rights and needs are seen as paramount, even sometimes at the expense of the collective good.
Examples illustrating this difference can be seen in approaches to public policies such as smoking and taxation. In more individualistic societies, people might argue for their right to smoke despite potential societal health risks, while collectivist societies are more inclined to support government intervention for the greater public welfare.
Similarly, in collectivist societies, there's less resistance to using taxes for governmental redistribution aimed at common welfare, in stark contrast to individualistic cultures, which may prioritize personal earnings and individual use of resources.