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Cultural Relativism

Cultural relativism is the principle that cultural practices should be understood based on the context of that culture rather than being judged against the standards of another. It aims to avoid ethnocentrism, which is the belief that one's own culture is superior. Ethnocentrism can develop from being immersed only in one's own culture without exposure to others. Cultural relativism promotes understanding different cultures to mitigate ethnocentrism by teaching that no single culture is perfect and that mutual respect is needed across cultures.

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James Bien
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52 views1 page

Cultural Relativism

Cultural relativism is the principle that cultural practices should be understood based on the context of that culture rather than being judged against the standards of another. It aims to avoid ethnocentrism, which is the belief that one's own culture is superior. Ethnocentrism can develop from being immersed only in one's own culture without exposure to others. Cultural relativism promotes understanding different cultures to mitigate ethnocentrism by teaching that no single culture is perfect and that mutual respect is needed across cultures.

Uploaded by

James Bien
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© © All Rights Reserved
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What is Cultural relativism ? Why they become ethnocentric?

Cultural relativism is the principle of regarding It is believed to be a learned behavior embedded in a


and valuing the practices of a culture from the variety of beliefs and values of an individual or
point of view of that culture and avoiding making group. Due to enculturation, individuals in in-groups
hasty judgments. Cultur al relativism tr ies to have a deeper sense of loyalty and are more likely to
counter ethnocentrism by promoting an understand- follow the norms and develop relationships with as-
ing of cultural practices that are unfamiliar to other sociated members.
cultures, such as eating insects, genocidal acts, or
genital cutting. What to do to avoid being ethnocentric?
It can be avoided by modeling open-minded behav-
Cultural Relativism What is Ethnocentrism?
Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the
iors and embracing new cultures with open arms
It’s that simple. To preface, ethnocentrism is “an ex-
and world primarily from the perspective of one’s
own culture. Par t of ethnocentr ism is the belief
aggerated tendency to think the characteristics of
one’s own group or race is superior to those of other
Ethnocentrism that one’s own race, ethnic, or cultural group is the groups or races”
most important or that some or all aspects of its cul-
ture are superior to those of other groups. Some peo- What are the bad effects of Ethnocentrism?
Gawa nina: ple will simply call it cultural ignorance. It creates tight boundaries among various socia
James Cristobal Bien groups. The inter-group relations are hampered due
Andre Fadrigalan Who are the ethnocentric? to prejudice against another.
Ethnocentrism means that one may see his/her
Guro: own culture as the correct way of living. Those How cultural relativism mitigates ethnocentrism?
Sir Julian Ferreras who have not experienced other cultures in depth Cultural relativism tries to counter ethnocentrism by
UCSP 11 can be said to be ethnocentric if they feel that their promoting the understanding of cultur al pr actic-
way of life is the most natural one. Some cultures es that are unfamiliar to other cultures. It teaches
may be similar or overlap in ideas or concepts, but mutual respect across cultures since it made one to
some people are, in a sense, shocked to experience appreciate other cultures are the same as theirs
differences they may encounter with individuals hence no single culture is perfect, best or prestig-
whose cultures are different from their own. ious.

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