[Virosponna]

I assume you are referring to "Americans" as those who live in the USA (friends from other parts of North and South America take some offense at this, seeing as how their countries are also part of the Americas, although that is best left to a different discussion). Based on that assumption ...

Most Americans have little to no real knowledge of the world beyond the borders of the USA. This leads to a lack of both understanding and empathy towards views of the world that differ from their own. It also leads to a belief that the American way is the only way. Which is not the most mature way to view the complexities of the world we live in.

On the other hand Americans tend to be very generous to those in need, as was witnessed by the response to the devastation from the tsunami in SE Asia. Such compassion can be short lived and buttresses the idea that Americans want a quick fix to problems and don't tend to consider long-term ramifications.

Americans, for the most part, also have a firm belief that the individual is fully responsible for their own success or failure, with little real consideration of social / economic factors that might control the course of an individual's life path. While many facts do not support this viewpoint, it is a bedrock belief of Americans, particularly at this point in our history: Individuals first, Society / Community a far second. Recent events might be causing a shift in thinking on this topic, but that might be wishful thinking on my part.