CULTURAL RELATIVISM
ORIENTATIONS IN VIEWING OTHER
CULTURES
OBJECTIVES
Identify forms of tangible and
intangible heritage and the threats to
these
Understand what ethnocentrism is;
and
Develop an awareness of why and
how cultural relativism mitigates
ethnocentrism
Different Customs In
Different Cultures
1. In the U.S., Canada and most
European countries, you're
expected to arrive ___________
for appointments or meetings.
A. Late
B. On time
C. Not on time
2. In Spain, you're expected
to arrive ________ for most
appointments or meetings.
A. Late
B. Early
C. On time
3. In Japan, China, Korea and
Vietnam, never pass something to
an older person or superior with only
one hand; you're expected to use
____________ .
A. Right hand
B. Left hand
C. Both hands
4. In the U.S. and Canada,
don't __________ if you're
invited to someone's home.
A. Call
B. Arrive early
C. Go
5. In the U.S. and Canada,
you're supposed to _________
if you plan to visit someone at
home.
A. Go first without calling
B. Arrive early
C. Call first
6. In many Asian countries, it is
_________ to visit your friends
at home without invitation or
prior appointment.
A. Acceptable
B. Not acceptable
C. Unusual
7. In most countries, when
you meet someone for the first
time, you aren't _________ to
hug or kiss them.
A. Should
B. Must
C. Supposed
8. In Peru, Columbia, Brazil,
Bolivia and Mexico, it is
common to _________
someone you have just met for
the first time.
A. Kiss
B. Bow at
C. Ignore
9. In the U.S., Canada and
many European countries, it is
____________ to eat noisily or
burp loudly in front of others.
A. Polite
B. Impolite
C. O.K.
10. In the U.S., people usually
stand at least ___________ apart
from one another when they talk
or when they stand in line for
something.
A. 10 inches
B. 6 feet
C. 3 feet
CULTURAL VARIATION
the differences in social behaviors
that different cultures exhibit around
the world.
two important perceptions on
cultural variability
ETHNOCENTRISM CULTURAL
RELATIVISM
ETHNOCENTRISM
cultural or ethnic bias—
whether conscious or
unconscious—in which an
individual or group views the
world from the perspective of
his or her own group
ETHNOCENTRISM
ETHNOCENTRISM
It is the idea that one's own
culture is the main
standard or center of
everything by which other
cultures may be measured.
ETHNOCENTRISM
ETHNOCENTRISM
Inability to adequately
understand cultures that
are different from one’s
own
WHY DOES
WHY DOES ITIT
HAPPEN?
HAPPEN?
Each group nourishes its own
pride and vanity;
boasts itself superior;
exalts its own divinities;
Being insensitive to others;and
looks with contempt on
outsiders.
EFFECTS OF
ETHNOCENTRISM
Multiple forms of prejudice
(preconceived opinion) that leads to
discrimination
Racism and sexism
EXAMPLES OF
ETHNOCENTRISM
Eurocentrism
Sinocentrism
Xenocentrism
1. EUROCENTRISM
1. EUROCENTRISM
the notion of European
exceptionalism,
Is the norm and should be
viewed as the standard
against which other cultures
are judged.
1. EUROCENTRISM
A belief, attitude, or
mindset that values
Europe, European
culture, or European
interests above all others.
EXAMPLE:
there is no ultimate
standard of good or
evil,
every judgment about right
and wrong is a product of
society
Radical beliefs
WHY IS THERE A NEED TO
PRESERVE HERITAGE?