Most Americans see themselves as separate individuals, more than members of a nation, family or community. They dislike being dependent on other people or having others dependent on them. Members of a traditional society are more likely to regard their role in life as unavoidable and seldom to be questioned or changed. Social and cultural factors may be viewed simply as barriers that need to be overcome in order for them to get ahead. A result of this attitude is the competitiveness of American life.
Achievement is a dominant motivation in American culture.
Time Orientation Americans place considerable value on punctuality. Because they tend to organize their activities by means of schedules, they may seem harried, always running from one thing to the next and unable to relax and enjoy themselves. Since Americans are so time conscious, the pace of life may seem very hectic. Being on time is regarded as very important, and in the U.S. most people make an effort to arrive on time. Not all Americans are punctual, but almost everyone is conscious of time.