how cultural relativism mitigates ethnocentrism

4. Exposure to different cultures promotes equality as well as equity among the different ethnic groups. Judging Women's Cultural Outfits. In the United States, the mug is most likely filled with coffee, not Earl Grey tea, a favorite in England, or Yak Butter tea, a staple in Tibet. How do individualist and collectivist cultures differ? February 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reduction-of-ethnocentrism-and-promotion-of-cultural-relativism/. Ethnocentrism often leads to incorrect assumptions about others behavior based on your own norms, values, and beliefs. This indicates that educating people about other cultures and increasing their literacy can help reduce ethnocentrism as well as promote culture relativism. Answer (1 of 2): Cultural relativism is the principle of regarding and valuing the practices of a culture from the point of view of that culture and to avoid making hasty judgments. Scribd is the world's largest social reading and publishing site. How does xenophobia harm society and the world? Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own culture. Use fluoride toothpaste. This essay on How to Avoid Ethnocentrism Essay on Promoting Cultural Relativism was written and submitted by your fellow Even the most culturally relativist people from egalitarian societiesones in which women have political rights and control over their own bodieswould question whether the widespread practice of female genital mutilation in countries such as Ethiopia and Sudan should be accepted as a part of cultural tradition. SHOWS THE ILL EFFECTS OF ETHNOCENTRISM; AND most notably the concept of cultural relativism, a theory of culture change or acculturation, and an emphasis on the study of symbolic meaning. Latest answer posted December 11, 2020 at 11:00:01 AM. What is considered morally acceptable in one culture may be considered reprehensible in another culture. There's no intrinsic difference between a Jew and a Christian, a black and a white, a Chinese citizen and a German citizen, and so forth. 5. 18 February. { "3.1A:_Culture_and_Biology" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "3.1B:_Culture_and_Society" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "3.1C:_Cultural_Universals" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "3.1D:_Culture_Shock" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "3.1E:_Ethnocentrism_and_Cultural_Relativism" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "3.1F:_Material_Culture" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "3.1G:_Nonmaterial_Culture" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()" }, { "3.01:_Culture_and_Society" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "3.02:_The_Symbolic_Nature_of_Culture" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "3.03:_Culture_and_Adaptation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "3.04:_Culture_Worlds" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "3.05:_Culture_and_the_Dominant_Ideology_in_the_U.S." To explain the importance of Cultural Relativism in attaining cultural understanding; b. Both views present negative connotations. What is cultural relativism anthropology? Ethnocentrism is a negative concept. One example of ethnocentrism is the use of chopsticks in Asian cultures and the use of silverware in the United States. Treat people from foreign cultures respectfully no stereotypes and generalizations about other cultures. 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Caitlin was half asleep by the time supper was servedat 10 p.m.! Ethnocentrism in its extreme form gives rise to and supremacist, while cultural relativism allows the propagation of certain practices that basic human rights In terms of sensitivity, ethnocentrism is insensitive to other cultures, while cultural relativism shows high cultural sensitivity. Pros & Cons of Cultural Relativism. But the tribal members congratulated him, saying, You really tried! In Bargers own culture, he had learned to value victory. What made our forebears imperialists was not that they judged according to their own culture, but that they violated (what we now recognize as) universal human rights. RELATIVISM Ethnocentric people value - this implies that one keeps its culture in the centre and their own culture and judge the other's . The "it all depends" morality, controversial fifty years ago when called situational ethics, denies the existence of any objective standards of right and wrong.What's wrong for one person, so it insists, may be right for another. How is biocultural anthropology different from cultural anthropology? This is ethnocentrism . While ethnocentrism means someone may judge other cultures based on the standards of their own cultures, cultural relativism is the notion that a culture should be understood on its own terms, without . Ethnocentrism and cultural relativism are terms widely used and applied in the fields of anthropology and sociology. Exposure to different cultures can help fight the negative attitude as well as stereotyping. What is cultural discontinuity in sociology? How does globalization relate to cultural anthropology? It is defined as using ones cultural heritage as the starting point to judge other cultures. Take for example, the common practice of same-sex friends in India walking in public while holding hands. 4. Pride in ones own culture doesnt have to lead to imposing its values on others. Economic ethnocentrism can be countered by encouraging healthy competition for the limited resources in society. 4. How does globalization affect culture negatively. using the standards of their own culture, and that each culture must be. At its most extreme, cultural relativism leaves no room for criticism of other cultures, even if certain cultural practices are horrific or harmful. Cultural Relativism Mitigates Ethnocentrisms o The word mitigate means "to make the effect less severe". These are simply two different ways of understanding the meaning of holding hands. To a lesser extent, this same debate arises around the circumcision of baby boys in Western hospitals. February 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reduction-of-ethnocentrism-and-promotion-of-cultural-relativism/. Some people will simply call it cultural ignorance. 1. It allows people to define themselves without contradicting the moral code of others. It is the system involved in sexual reproduction. 7. Cultural relativism and ethnocentrism are two opposing concepts that pertain to the way in which individuals perceive and evaluate the cultural practices and beliefs of others. ETHNOCENTRISM IS. "See-saw" towel pull-ups are also an option. Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's culture is superior to another culture, and that their own culture showcases the . After two weeks in Spain, Caitlin had developed a bit more compassion and understanding for what those people had gone through. It frequently results in hatred and even violence. But sociologists also use "ethnocentrism" in a sort of technical sense, to mean simply that we judge people of other cultures by the standards of our own culture. How does cultural materialism conceive of culture? IvyPanda, 18 Feb. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/reduction-of-ethnocentrism-and-promotion-of-cultural-relativism/. What does cultural relativism mean in sociology? Read the full article Oxytocin promotes human ethnocentrismhere, https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/3-1-what-is-culture, Describe and give examples of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. MORALITY DYNAMICS OF CULTURE Cultural Relativism It is the ability to understand a culture on its own terms and not to make judgments using the standards of one's own culture. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism. How does cultural relativism work as a normative theory? Within this ideology, individuals will judge other groups in relation to their own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behavior, customs, and religion. By accepting, you agree to the updated privacy policy. How is culture transmitted and internalized according to sociology? With our Essay Lab, you can create a customized outline within seconds to get started on your essay right away. Hitler believed that Jews, as well as people belonging to some other communities were all inferior to his ethnicity, and did not deserve to live. Read Woodard's piece titled "Up In Arms." Why Culture matters in Marketing and where? The Indegenous people of Sagada, in the Philippines, have for thousands of years placed the bodies of deceased people into coffins hung on the cliffs near their villages. Alfred Schutz. Out-group derogation, on the other hand, is feeling negatively about groups outside of our own. What some societies view as acceptable or commendable may not be the case in another. Despite how much humans have in common, cultural differences are far more prevalent than cultural universals. There is not a clear English translation of the word, and in order to fully comprehend its many possible uses, a cultural relativist would argue that it would be necessary to fully immerse oneself in cultures where the word is used. According to Wikipedia ethnocentrism is the act of judging another culture based on preconceptions that are found in the values and standards of one's own culture. Cite actions that depict ethnocentric attitudes. Shed studied Spanish in school for yearswhy hadnt it prepared her for this? But that doesn't actually follow. How does cultural relativism affect medical decisions? Eventually, as people learn more about a culture and adapt to its norms, they recover from culture shock. , stems. To a lesser extent, this same debate arises around the circumcision of baby boys in Western hospitals. Ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. (Credit: Arian Zwegers/flickr) Sagada, Echo Valley, hanging coffins. Practicing cultural relativism requires an open mind and a willingness to consider, and even adapt to, new values and norms. I think even though cultural relativism is easily seen as a positive outlook . During her summer vacation, Caitlin flew from Chicago to Madrid to visit Maria, the exchange student shed befriended the previous semester. Is it simply because you grew up with them, and never questioned them? When considering harmful cultural traditions, it can be patronizing to use cultural relativism as an excuse for avoiding debate. Cultural Relativism. What Caitlin hadnt realized was that people depend not only on spoken words but also on subtle cues like gestures and facial expressions, to communicate. Uploaded on Jul 07, 2012. "Cultural relativism" can mean several different things, and much of the debate over its desirability can be traced to this ambiguity. How are ethnocentrism and cultural relativism different? FREEDOM AND. Can views be conflicting in cultural relativism? Are universalism and cultural relativism irreconcilable? and should therefore serve as the standard frame of reference. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you They are affecting the society in the negative term by either contributing to populism, racism and other evils of the society. Is cultural relativism desirable?" State the function of each part., From the information given above about the molecular structure of soap and how it works and the protein composition of coronavirus, describe how does So in order to be a cultural relativist, you need to judge people only by their own culture, but the only culture that actually tells you to do that is your own culture, namely the subculture of Western academic sociologists. How is cultural relativism different from individual relativism? Free access to premium services like Tuneln, Mubi and more. Perhaps the greatest challenge for sociologists studying different cultures is the matter of keeping a perspective. 3.1E: Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism is shared under a CC BY-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts. One of the things that our imperialist forebears did was judge other people based on their own culture, so if we don't do that, maybe we won't be imperialists! Ethnocentrism & cultural relativism. Shed stepped out of her comfort zone. Humanity is strong because we are diverse. Now customize the name of a clipboard to store your clips. eNotes Editorial, 22 July 2016, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/why-how-cultural-relativism-mitigate-ethnocentrism-743419. CULTURE IS ABOVE OR SUPERIOR THAN OTHERS'. Cultural relativism, in contrast, is the realization that there are differences among cultures with respect to certain shared commonalities, such as written language and body language. In the context of early social science, cultural relativism became an important tool for pushing back on the ethnocentrism that often tarnished research at that time, which was mostly conducted by white . It doesn't even require any particular relativism: You can just have the norm in your own culture that you don't judge other cultures until all the facts are in. Explained by FAQ Blog. Instruction: Write a 4-paragraph statement regarding why and how the. Explain how cultural relativism mitigates ethnocentrism. ; cultural relativism: Cultural relativism is a principle that was established as axiomatic in anthropological research by Franz Boas in the first few decades of the twentieth century, and later popularized by his students.Boas first articulated the idea in 1887: "civilization . In which areas do you think people's rights and liberties are at risk of government intrusion? But ethnocentrism can lead to disdain or dislike for other cultures and could cause misunderstanding and conflict. (The Greek root word xeno, pronounced ZEE-no, means stranger or foreign guest.) An exchange student who goes home after a semester abroad or a sociologist who returns from the field may find it difficult to associate with the values of their own culture after having experienced what they deem a more upright or nobler way of living. Advertisement. It has no regard for the cultures of another. It is because cultural relativism seeks to understand the culture of others, especially within the context of that culture. Be open-minded and challenge your beliefs consider that other cultures may have different ways of doing things that are equally valid. Accessibility StatementFor more information contact us atinfo@libretexts.orgor check out our status page at https://status.libretexts.org. 3.Ethnocentrism is the belief that your culture is right or the best. This cross-cultural relationship provides hope that new opportunities will be discovered, but at the same time it is threatening. Ecological and Geographic Cultural Variation, Ethics in Cultural Psychological Research, Five Factor Model and Cross-Cultural Research, Cultural Considerations and Indigenous Personality, Stereotypes, Prejudice and Discrimination, Cultural Considerations of Kohlbergs Theory, Cultural Alternatives to Moral Development, Psychological Reactions to Unfair Behavior, Challenges to Living in a Multicultural World. How does cultural anthropology influence human development? In some Middle Eastern cultures, it is common . It involves using ones culture or ethnic group as the central point for rating other cultures. pedagogicalgrammar-140112113054-phpapp02.pptx, introduction to linguistics lecture 1.ppt, IIT Bombay WUStL Research and Educational Academy, Types of Pile Foundation based on function.pptx, Calculus with Theory, Problem Set Solutions 6.pptx, No public clipboards found for this slide, Enjoy access to millions of presentations, documents, ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more. Define the difference between political culture and political ideology. Or in fact you could justify being an imperialist, because Western culture has a historical tradition of imperialism and you could simply be acting according to the norms of your own culture---so how can anyone judge you as wrong?Yet I understand where normative cultural relativism comes from; it is an attempt to respond to, and in some sense atone for, the extreme violence and destruction created by colonialism and imperialism. Summary: 1.Cultural relativism is the positive attitude or concept while ethnocentrism is the negative side. Xenocentrismis the opposite of ethnocentrism, and refers to the belief that another culture is superior to ones own. You can read the details below.