Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Urbanization, 220. A good example of ethnocentrism is referring to parts of Asia as the Far East. One might question, Far east of where?. During his time with the Inuit tribe, Barger learned to engage in cultural relativism. Despite how much humans have in common, cultural differences are far more prevalent than cultural universals. Culture shock may appear because people arent always expecting cultural differences. Some people will simply call it cultural ignorance. It can take weeks or months to recover from culture shock, and it can take years to fully adjust to living in a new culture. Reading: Healthcare Outside of the United States, 179. (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. In January 2011, a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America presented evidence indicating that the hormone oxytocin could regulate and manage instances of ethnocentrism. But bit by bit, they became stressed by interacting with people from a different culture who spoke another language and used different regional expressions. Ethnocentrism, as sociologist William Graham Sumner (1906) described the term, involves a belief or attitude that one's own culture is better than all others, and should therefore serve as the standard frame of reference. Why do you believe this? People react to frustration in a new culture, Oberg found, by initially rejecting it and glorifying ones own culture. 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. To the Inuit people, winning was enjoyable, but their culture valued survival skills essential to their environment: how hard someone tried could mean the difference between life and death. An exchange student from China might be annoyed by the constant interruptions in class as other students ask questionsa practice that is considered rude in China. Such attitudes are an example ofethnocentrism, or evaluating and judging another culture based on how it compares to ones own cultural norms. Caitlins shock was minor compared to that of her friends Dayar and Mahlika, a Turkish couple living in married student housing on campus. To the Inuit people, winning was enjoyable, but their culture valued survival skills essential to their environment: how hard someone tried could mean the difference between life and death. Practicing cultural relativism requires an open mind and a willingness to consider, and even adapt to, new values and norms. There was new food to digest, new daily schedules to follow, and new rules of etiquette to learn. Living with this constant stress can make people feel incompetent and insecure. Experiencing new cultures offers an opportunity to practice cultural relativism. They help people know when to shake hands, where to sit, how to converse, and even when to laugh. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. Perhaps the Chicago traveler was initially captivated with Montanas quiet beauty and the Chinese student was originally excited to see a U.S.-style classroom firsthand. Ethnocentrism in its extreme form gives rise to racism and supremacist (e.g., the holocaust), while cultural relativism allows the propagation of certain practices that violate basic human rights (e.g., the practice of female genital mutilation). This comparison of one's culture to others has a significant impact on how we perceive the people around us and the organizations to which we belong. But the tribal members congratulated him, saying, You really tried! In Bargers own culture, he had learned to value victory. There was new food to digest, new daily schedules to follow, and new rules of etiquette to learn. The way cuisines vary across cultures fascinates many people. Ethnocentrism can be so strong that when confronted with all of the differences of a new culture, one may experience disorientation and frustration. 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. Outcome: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, 128. This is related to ethnocentrism because cultural interactions are increasing as the world gets smaller due to factors such as technology and cooperation between nations. Did you have an idea for improving this content? Xenocentrism is the opposite of ethnocentrism, and refers to the belief that another culture is superior to one's own. After two weeks in Spain, Caitlin had developed a bit more compassion and understanding for what those people had gone through. Reading: Lines of Descent and Family Stages, 141. Exciting as it was, she felt isolated and disconnected. Reading: Social Change and Modernization, 233. Such attitudes are an example ofethnocentrism, or evaluating and judging another culture based on how it compares to ones own cultural norms. Read the full article here. A traveler from Chicago might find the nightly silence of rural Montana unsettling, not peaceful. In some Middle Eastern cultures, it is common to stand close to others in conversation. Perhaps the Chicago traveler was initially captivated with Montanas quiet beauty and the Chinese student was originally excited to see a U.S.-style classroom firsthand. " Ethnocentrism, a term coined by William Graham Sumner, is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of your own ethnic culture and the belief that that is in fact the "right" way to look at the world. They served wine and toasted their honored guest. In the airport, she heard rapid, musical Spanish being spoken all around her. The differences and similarities observed between various cultures determine the way the people of those cultures interact with each other. People with the best intentions sometimes travel to a society to help its people, because they see them as uneducated or backwardessentially inferior. An American visiting Italy might long for a real pizza or complain about the unsafe driving habits of Italians compared to people in the United States. A good example of ethnocentrism is referring to parts of Asia as the Far East. One might question, Far east of where?. European colonizers often viewed the people in the lands they colonized as uncultured savages who were in need of European governance, dress, religion, and other cultural practices. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Health and Medicine, 171. Someone from a country where dog meat is standard fare might find it off-putting to see a dog in a French restaurantnot on the menu, but as a pet and patrons companion. Wed love your input. Often, people in the United States express disgust at other cultures cuisine and think that its gross to eat meat from a dog or guinea pig, for example, while they dont question their own habit of eating cows or pigs. Reading: Universal Access to Education, 156. Why It Matters: Sociological Foundations, 10. Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; The tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own traditional, deferred, or adoptive ethnic culture. Shed stepped out of her comfort zone. When they are introduced to their host families, the families kiss them on both cheeks. Xenocentrism noun A preference for the products, styles, or ideas of a different culture. The idea was formulated by Franz Boas; however, the term was later introduced by the social theorist, Alan Locke in 1924. Likewise, most cultures recognize music in some form. Other articles where ethnocentrism is discussed: race: The difference between racism and ethnocentrism: racism must be distinguished from ethnicity and ethnocentrism. Outcome: Theoretical Perspectives on Media and Technology, 240. Legal. An exchange student from China might be annoyed by the constant interruptions in class as other students ask questionsa practice that is considered rude in China. Caitlin had trouble interpreting her hosts facial expressions, and didnt realize she should make the next toast. Some travelers pride themselves on their willingness to try unfamiliar foods, like celebrated food writer Anthony Bourdain, while others return home expressing gratitude for their native cultures fare. a. Marias family sat at the table for hours, speaking loudly, gesturing, and arguing about politics, a taboo dinner subject in Caitlins house. Synonyms for ethnocentricity in Free Thesaurus. Ethnocentric people think the ways they do things is the way things should be done, and every other culture's way of doing things is unsavory or undesirable. Why It Matters: Social Stratification and Inequality, 85. North Americans keep more distance and maintain a larger personal space. Even something as simple as eating and drinking varies greatly from culture to culture. And an appreciation for another culture shouldnt preclude individuals from studying it with a critical eye. Xenocentrism is a culturally-based tendency to value other cultures more highly than one's own, which can materialize in a variety of different ways. Trying hard and working together, two nonmaterial values, were indeed much more important than winning. It creates an attitude of independence. Culture shock may appear because people arent always expecting cultural differences. Outcome: Globalization and the Economy, 209. It involves evaluating other cultures and ethnic groups based on the standards and values of one's own group and viewing them as inferior or less important. Another example would be the deforestation of the Amazon Basin as indigenous cultures lose land to timber corporations. Copyright Opinion Front & Buzzle.com, Inc. Some examples of such universals include adorning ones body with ornaments, concepts of privacy, respect, and morality, etc. We relate to others through a shared set of cultural norms, and ordinarily, we take them for granted. Marias family sat at the table for hours, speaking loudly, gesturing, and arguing about politics, a taboo dinner subject in Caitlins house. Likewise, most cultures recognize music in some form. Outcome: Sociological Views on Religion, 149. Cultural norms accompany even the smallest nonverbal signals (DuBois 1951). But bit by bit, they became stressed by interacting with people from a different culture who spoke another language and used different regional expressions. Reading: Charter Schools and Homeschooling, 165. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Global Stratification, 103. However, indiscriminately embracing everything about a new culture is not always possible. Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own culture. Outcome: Theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power, 198. In a more extreme sense, some cultures may idolize . One example is the romanticization of the noble savage in the 18th-century primitivism movement in European art, philosophy and ethnography. But as they experience unanticipated differences from their own culture, their excitement gives way to discomfort and doubts about how to behave appropriately in the new situation. Anthropologist Kalervo Oberg (1960) is credited with first coining the term culture shock. In his studies, Oberg found that most people found encountering a new culture to be exciting at first. The basis for evaluation differs according to the view employed. These two viewpoints are essentially distinct but do share a few similarities between them. Sure enough, he finished last, to his mortification. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. People with the best intentions sometimes travel to a society to help its people, because they see them as uneducated or backwardessentially inferior. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Despite how much humans have in common, cultural differences are far more prevalent than cultural universals. It can take weeks or months to recover from culture shock, and it can take years to fully adjust to living in a new culture. Figure 2. Perhaps the greatest challenge for sociologists studying different cultures is the matter of keeping a perspective. By the end of Caitlins trip, shed made new lifelong friends. Caitlin was half asleep by the time supper was servedat 10 p.m.! People react to frustration in a new culture, Oberg found, by initially rejecting it and glorifying ones own culture. For example, in many countries, religious minorities (religions that are not the dominant religion) often face discrimination. But ethnocentrism can lead to disdain or dislike for other cultures and could cause misunderstanding and conflict. For example, while all cultures have language, analysis of particular language structures and conversational etiquette reveal tremendous differences. For this reason, culture shock is often associated with traveling abroad, although it can happen in ones own country, state, or even hometown. A preference for the products, styles, or ideas of a different culture. Cultural relativismis the practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of ones own culture. Citing Paraphrases and Summaries (APA), 4. Part of ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own race, ethnic or cultural group is the most important or that some or all aspects of its culture are superior to those of other groups. Living with this constant stress can make people feel incompetent and insecure. A more modern example of cultural imperialism may include the work of international aid agencies who introduce agricultural methods and plant species from developed countries while overlooking indigenous varieties and agricultural approaches that are better suited to the particular region. European colonizers often viewed the people in the lands they colonized as uncultured savages who were in need of European governance, dress, religion, and other cultural practices. Reading: The Graying of the United States, 181. Putting It Together: Religion and Education, 167. They help people know when to shake hands, where to sit, how to converse, and even when to laugh. Reading: Introduction to Sociological Research, 29. Music and laughter are examples of: [reveal-answer q=72875]Show Answer[/reveal-answer], http://cnx.org/contents/02040312-72c8-441e-a685-20e9333f3e1d/Introduction_to_Sociology_2e, http://cnx.org/contents/02040312-72c9333f3e1d@3.49. 3. Shed learned a lot about Spain, but shed also discovered a lot about herself and her own culture. During her summer vacation, Caitlin flew from Chicago to Madrid to visit Maria, the exchange student shed befriended the previous semester. In reality, these travelers are guilty ofcultural imperialism, the deliberate imposition of ones own cultural values on another culture. Cultural norms accompany even the smallest nonverbal signals (DuBois 1951). Ethnocentric individuals believe they're better than other individuals for reasons based solely on their heritage. Outcome: Demography and Population Growth, 215. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Deviance, 77. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Social Stratification, 102. Ethnocentrism in social science and anthropologyas well as in colloquial English discoursemeans to apply one's own culture or ethnicity as a frame of reference to judge other cultures, practices, behaviors, beliefs, and people, instead of using the standards of the particular culture involved. Over the course of his stay, Barger participated in caribou hunts, learned how to take shelter in winter storms, and sometimes went days with little or no food to share among tribal members. This is an example of: Youll have more success on the Self-Check, if youve completed the three Readings in this section. 3. However, indiscriminately embracing everything about a new culture is not always possible. Almost everyone is a little bit ethnocentric. This is so, because it is almost impossible to be unbiased while comparing cultures. He knew hed never hold his own against these experts. Putting It Together: Government and Politics, 200. Ethnocentrism can be so strong that when confronted with all of the differences of a new culture, one may experience disorientation and frustration. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Sex, 133. 3. And an appreciation for another culture shouldnt preclude individuals from studying it with a critical eye. 27 Apr 2023 17:23:35 Everyone is ethnocentric to an extent, and identifying with ones own country is natural. Europes colonial expansion, begun in the sixteenth century, was often accompanied by a severe cultural imperialism. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Marriage and Family, 145. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. But ethnocentrism can lead to disdain or dislike for other cultures and could cause misunderstanding and conflict. Want to create or adapt books like this? Putting It Together: Socialization and Interaction, 72. I disagree." The Dangerous Intersection of Christian Nationalism and Ethnocentrism. A high level of appreciation for ones own culture can be healthy; a shared sense of community pride, for example, connects people in a society. Anthropologist Ken Barger (1971) discovered this when he conducted a participatory observation in an Inuit community in the Canadian Arctic. However, indiscriminately embracing everything about a new culture is not always possible. Why It Matters: Government and Politics, 196. The belief that ones culture is inferior to another culture is called: 2. Shed learned a lot about Spain, but shed also discovered a lot about herself and her own culture. Sometimes when people attempt to rectify feelings of ethnocentrism and develop cultural relativism, they swing too far to the other end of the spectrum. Over the course of his stay, Barger participated in caribou hunts, learned how to take shelter in winter storms, and sometimes went days with little or no food to share among tribal members. Ethnocentrism can be so strong that when confronted with all of the differences of a new culture, one may experience disorientation and frustration. Racism, isolationism, xenophobia, chauvinism. But the tribal members congratulated him, saying, You really tried! In Bargers own culture, he had learned to value victory. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Economics, 206. Experiencing an entirely new practice may lead to a high degree of interest or a level of criticism. Europes colonial expansion, begun in the sixteenth century, was often accompanied by a severe cultural imperialism. Reading: Mental Health and Disabilities, 175. For example, while all cultures have language, analysis of particular language structures and conversational etiquette reveal tremendous differences. In some Middle Eastern cultures, it is common to stand close to others in conversation. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply.See Wiktionary Terms of Use for details. Shed studied Spanish in school for yearswhy hadnt it prepared her for this? Exceptionalism Why do you believe this? When Rodneys host brother introduces himself and kisses Rodney on both cheeks, Rodney pulls back in surprise. Reading: Introduction to Global Inequality, 93. Both views present negative connotations. The only major similarity they share is the fact that they are both meant as ways to evaluate and judge cultures other than our own. the practice of assessing a culture by its own standards, and not in comparison to another culture culture shock: an experience of personal disorientation when confronted with an unfamiliar way of life ethnocentrism: the practice of evaluating another culture according to the standards of one's own culture xenocentrism: By the end of Caitlins trip, shed made new lifelong friends. Sometimes when people attempt to rectify feelings of ethnocentrism and develop cultural relativism, they swing too far to the other end of the spectrum. It helps to remember that culture is learned. Some travelers pride themselves on their willingness to try unfamiliar foods, like celebrated food writer Anthony Bourdain, while others return home expressing gratitude for their native cultures fare. Xenocentrism is the opposite of ethnocentrism, . Reading: Symbolic Interactionist Theory, 20. And it was nothing like that of her classmate Sanai. Figure 1. It can take weeks or months to recover from culture shock, and it can take years to fully adjust to living in a new culture. Full list of synonyms for Ethnocentrism is here. When they are introduced to their host families, the families kiss them on both cheeks. Some people will simply call it cultural ignorance. Originally from Indiana, Barger hesitated when invited to join a local snowshoe race. The present world consists of a variety of unique cultures. Why do you believe this? Practicing cultural relativism requires an open mind and a willingness to consider, and even adapt to, new values and norms. Distinctions are made between different cultures based on language, behavior, customs, traditions, religion, etc. 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. People with the best intentions sometimes travel to a society to help its people, because they see them as uneducated or backwardessentially inferior. Putting It Together: Social Movements, Media, and Technology. These views involve examining a culture and all its aspects and evaluating them. It is impossible for anyone to keep all cultural biases at bay; the best we can do is strive to be aware of them. Xenocentrism North Americans keep more distance and maintain a large personal space. Even something as simple as eating and drinking varies greatly from culture to culture. 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. Cultural norms accompany even the smallest nonverbal signals (DuBois 1951). Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own culture. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Religion, 150. Reading: Conflict Perspective on Media and Technology, 242. Despite how much humans have in common, cultural differences are far more prevalent than cultural universals. Reading: Socialization Across the Life Course, 68. What issues or events might inform this? Pride in ones own culture doesnt have to lead to imposing its values on others. But as they experience unanticipated differences from their own culture, their excitement gives way to discomfort and doubts about how to behave appropriately in the new situation. Such characters are called cultural universals. A traveler from Chicago might find the nightly silence of rural Montana unsettling, not peaceful. Shed studied Spanish in school for yearswhy hadnt it prepared her for this? For example, Americans tend to say that people from England drive on the wrong side of the road, rather than on the other side. Book: Introduction to Sociology (Waymaker), { "5.10:_Outcome:_Pop_Culture_Subculture_and_Cultural_Change" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.
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