Essay on Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism - 667 Words

Please define and compare and contrast ETHNOCENTRISM and CULTURAL RELATIVISM. Discuss how you have experienced OR witnessed both concepts in our American Society. Ethnocentrism is viewing your own culture as more superior than any other culture, that all other groups are measured in relation to one’s own. Ethnocentrism can lead to cultural misinterpretation and it often distorts communication between human beings. + while cultural relativism is the concept that the importance of a particular cultural idea varies from one society or societal subgroup to another, the view that ethical and moral standards are relative to what a particular society or culture believes to be good/bad, right/wrong. (dictionary.com) Ethnocentrism is†¦show more content†¦Ethnocentrism can lead to cultural misinterpretation and it often distorts communication between human beings. Ethnocentric thinking causes us to make wrong assumptions about other people because . . . Ethnocentrism leads us to make premature judgments. They may not be very good at what we are best at. By evaluating them by what we are best at, we miss the many other aspects of life that they often handle more competently than we do. Some very simple examples of ethnocentric thinking. . . We often talk about British drivers driving on the wrong side of the road. Why not just say opposite side or even left hand side? We talk about written Hebrew as reading backward. Why not just say from right to left or in the opposite direction from English. We encourage SNU students going on short-term missions to use the phrase Oh, thats different rather than more pejorative terms when encountering strange customs or foods. by Lea Member since: September 17, 2006 Total points: 787 (Level 2) †¢ Add Contact †¢ Block Best Answer - Chosen by Voters Ethnocentrism is viewing your own culture as more superior than any other culture (my definition from class :)) while cultural relativism is the concept that the importance of a particular cultural idea varies from one society or societal subgroup to another, theShow MoreRelatedEthnocentrism And Cultural Relativism : Ethnocentrism950 Words   |  4 PagesEthnocentrism and Cultural relativism are two concepts similar, but different. Ethnocentrism and Cultural relativism both share a similar practice of trying to understand other beliefs and cultures, but they are both hugely different. See Ethnocentrism is having the belief that one’s country and culture is the best and is the right way to go and that you are right and everyone else is wrong. While Cultural relativism is understanding other cultures, countries, and their beliefs. I believe I am aRead More Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Essay example506 Words   |  3 PagesEthnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Ethnocentrism and cultural relativism are two contrasting terms that are displayed by different people all over the world. Simply put, ethnocentrism is defined as â€Å"judging other groups from the perspective of one’s own cultural point of view.† Cultural relativism, on the other hand, is defined as â€Å"the view that all beliefs are equally valid and that truth itself is relative, depending on the situation, environment, and individual.† Each of these ideasRead MoreHuman Behavior, Ethnocentrism, And Cultural Relativism1466 Words   |  6 Pagesstudying human behavior, ethnocentrism and cultural relativism will be examined as these concepts expose the authors (McDonnell 2016). Male domination will also be considered while examining these concepts as an important trait in the Afghan society. Ethnocentrism is an idea supported by a mixture of beliefs that one’s own culture is superior to any other culture. The ideas, foreign ways, and values of them are less human or less rational (McDonnell 2016). 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In western culture we typically avoid thinking about death unless it is necessaryRead MoreEssay on Religious Relativity1017 Words   |  5 PagesBailey Jamile October 11, 2010 Rel 150; T/R 1045-12:00 Relativism Relativism is the theory that truths, values, and norms are different for different people, depending on their cultural, economic, political and religious backgrounds. The theory of religious relativism requires students to tolerate other people’s religious beliefs and practices, at the same time recognizing their own beliefs and practices as just one system in a world of diverse, yet equally legitimate, religious systemsRead MoreCulture and Frog Legs Essay688 Words   |  3 Pagesdownright repugnant. How would you apply the concepts of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism to your perception of these customs? Using your textbook and additional resources, write a two - three page paper addressing the issues of cultural diversity and diet. Be certain to use all three major sociological theories - functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism - in your analysis as well as the terms ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. * The thought of eating toasted ants, fried frog legsRead MoreThe Theory Of Cultural Relativism935 Words   |  4 Pagesopinion is indeed relative. Cultural relativism is the view that individual beliefs and values systems are culturally relative. That is, no one ethnic group has the right to say that their particular system of beliefs and values is in any way better than anyone else’s system of beliefs and values. What may be right for one culture might be wrong for another. There is no absolute standard of right and wrong by which to compare and contrast morally conflicting cultural values. We cannot possibly understandRead MoreEthnocentrism Is A Basic Attitude Expressing The Belief That One? S Own Culture Essay1731 Words   |  7 PagesETHNOCENTRISM Ethnocentrism is a basic attitude expressing the belief that one?s own ethnic group or one?s own culture is superior to other ethnic groups or cultures, and that one?s cultural standards can be applied in a universal manner. The term was first used by the American sociologist William Graham Sumner (1840?1910) to describe the view that one?s own culture can be considered central, while other cultures or religious traditions are reduced to a less prominent role. Ethnocentrism is closely