Reading: Poverty in the United States, 212. 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: The unique qualities of each culture influences the reasoning of an individual and plays a role in shaping the way that individual perceives the world and other cultures in it. They help people know when to shake hands, where to sit, how to converse, and even when to laugh. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives of Race and Ethnicity, 111. Eventually, as people learn more about a culture, they recover from culture shock. 3. Exciting as it was, she felt isolated and disconnected. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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. Sure enough, he finished last, to his mortification. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Reading: Symbolic Interactionism on Media and Technology, 243. It creates an attitude of independence. Putting It Together: Social Movements, Media, and Technology. Sometimes when people attempt to rectify feelings of ethnocentrism and to practice cultural relativism, they swing too far to the other end of the spectrum. Practicing cultural relativism requires an open mind and a willingness to consider, and even adapt to, new values and norms. In the airport, she heard rapid, musical Spanish being spoken all around her. Europes colonial expansion, begun in the sixteenth century, was often accompanied by a severe cultural imperialism. What are synonyms for ethnocentricity? 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. Explanation: Hope its help Reading: The Cultural Significance of Health, 170. Sure enough, he finished last, to his mortification. People react to frustration in a new culture, Oberg found, by initially rejecting it and glorifying ones own culture. . 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. Youll have more success on the Self-Check, if youve completed the three Readings in this section. 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. 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. 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. Trying hard and working together, two nonmaterial values, were indeed much more important than winning. 1. It is impossible for anyone to keep all cultural biases at bay; the best we can do is strive to be aware of them. Reading: Functionalism on Media and Technology, 241. 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. Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism - Video & Lesson Transcript Putting It Together: Marriage and Family, 146. Caitlin had trouble interpreting her hosts facial expressions, and didnt realize she should make the next toast. Xenocentrism is the opposite of . Xenocentrism: Valuing Other Cultures More Than Your Own - ThoughtCo Sociologists attempting to engage in cultural relativism, then, may struggle to reconcile aspects of their own culture with aspects of a culture that they are studying. Likewise, most cultures recognize music in some form. 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. This concept was developed to attempt to overcome ethnocentric bias when conducting anthropological studies. Some people will simply call it cultural ignorance. A traveler from Chicago might find the nightly silence of rural Montana unsettling, not peaceful. Why It Matters: Social Movements, Media, and Technology, 225. For example, while all cultures have language, analysis of particular language structures and conversational etiquette reveal tremendous differences. It helps to remember that culture is learned. A good example of ethnocentrism is referring to parts of Asia as the Far East. One might question, Far east of where?. I disagree." The Dangerous Intersection of Christian Nationalism and Ethnocentrism. A preference for the products, styles, or ideas of a different culture. For example, Americans tend to say that people from England drive on the wrong side of the road, rather than on the other side. Perhaps the greatest challenge for sociologists studying different cultures is the matter of keeping a perspective. Anthropologist Ken Barger (1971) discovered this when he conducted a participatory observation in an Inuit community in the Canadian Arctic. But the tribal members congratulated him, saying, You really tried! In Bargers own culture, he had learned to value victory. But ethnocentrism can lead to disdain or dislike for other cultures and could cause misunderstanding and conflict. Perhaps the greatest challenge for sociologists studying different cultures is the matter of keeping a perspective. Outcome: Globalization and the Economy, 209. In reality, these travelers are guilty ofcultural imperialism, the deliberate imposition of ones own cultural values on another culture. while ethnocentrism leans towards intolerance, cultural relativism leans towards incredibly high tolerance of cultural features. Cultural norms accompany even the smallest nonverbal signals (DuBois 1951). However, indiscriminately embracing everything about a new culture is not always possible. Legal. RT @VirgilWalkerOMA: "Many would contend that the struggle for social justice and the propagation of Christian nationalism share no similarities. Ethnocentrism, as sociologist William Graham Sumner (1906) described the term, involves a belief or attitude that ones own culture is better than all others. The belief that ones culture is inferior to another culture is called: 2. Reading: Ethnocentrism and Xenocentricism - Introductory Sociology What issues or events might inform this? The way cuisines vary across cultures fascinates many people. People with the best intentions sometimes travel to a society to help its people, because they see them as uneducated or backwardessentially inferior. Pride in ones own culture doesnt have to lead to imposing its values on others. In some Middle Eastern cultures, it is common to stand close to others in conversation. 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. Perhaps the greatest challenge for sociologists studying different cultures is the matter of keeping a perspective. Putting It Together: Sociological Foundations, 34. Full list of synonyms for Ethnocentrism is here. The present world consists of a variety of unique cultures. Shed studied Spanish in school for yearswhy hadnt it prepared her for this? For example, in many countries, religious minorities (religions that are not the dominant religion) often face discrimination. Putting It Together: Work and the Economy, 213. Ethnocentrism is a way of thinking and perceiving the world that centers on one's own cultural or ethnic group. 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. Outcome: Demography and Population Growth, 215. 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. He knew hed never hold his own against these experts. 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. The LibreTexts libraries arePowered by NICE CXone Expertand are supported by the Department of Education Open Textbook Pilot Project, the UC Davis Office of the Provost, the UC Davis Library, the California State University Affordable Learning Solutions Program, and Merlot. Putting It Together: Culture and Society, 53. 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. 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. After two weeks in Spain, Caitlin had developed a bit more compassion and understanding for what those people had gone through. For example, while all cultures have language, analysis of particular language structures and conversational etiquette reveal tremendous differences. In the airport, she heard rapid, musical Spanish being spoken all around her. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! 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. If your professor comes into an early morning class holding a mug of liquid, what do you assume she is drinking? When they are introduced to their host families, the families kiss them on both cheeks. 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. Practicing cultural relativism requires an open mind and a willingness to consider, and even adapt to, new values and norms. Exciting as it was, she felt isolated and disconnected. In sociology, we call thisculture shock. This is an example of: Youll have more success on the Self-Check, if youve completed the three Readings in this section. 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. Outcome: Pop Culture, Subculture, and Cultural Change, 44. Ethnocentrism Examples in History and Today | YourDictionary Why It Matters: Government and Politics, 196. Reading: Defining the Sociological Imagination, 13. For example, while all cultures have language, analysis of particular language structures and conversational etiquette reveal tremendous differences. We also acknowledge previous National Science Foundation support under grant numbers 1246120, 1525057, and 1413739. Cite this page as follows: "Compare and contrast ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. A traveler from Chicago might find the nightly silence of rural Montana unsettling, not peaceful. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism | Introduction to Sociology Xenocentrism Outcome: Religion in the United States, 155. Practicing cultural relativism requires an open mind and a willingness to consider, and even adapt to, new values and norms. 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. 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. Reading: Conflict Theory on Education, 159. 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. #ChristianNationalism #nationalism. Shed studied Spanish in school for yearswhy hadnt it prepared her for this? Reading: Introduction to Race and Ethnicity, 107. 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. Why do you believe this? For this reason, culture shock is often associated with traveling abroad, although it can happen in ones own country, state, or even hometown. (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. Putting It Together: Socialization and Interaction, 72. Ethnocentrism In Psychology: Examples, Disadvantages, & Cultural Relativism 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). 27 Apr 2023 17:23:35 the practice of assessing a culture by its own standards, and not in comparison to another culture cultural universals: patterns or traits that are . Everyone is ethnocentric to an extent, and identifying with ones own country is natural. In some Middle Eastern cultures, it is common to stand close to others in conversation. 26 Ethnocentrism Synonyms. Similar words for Ethnocentrism. When Rodneys host brother introduces himself and kisses Rodney on both cheeks, Rodney pulls back in surprise. 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. Reading: Universal Access to Education, 156. A traveler from Chicago might find the nightly silence of rural Montana unsettling, not peaceful. A good example of ethnocentrism is referring to parts of Asia as the Far East. One might question, Far east of where?. Outcome: The Social Construction of Health, 169. Reading: Types of Formal Organizations, 70. Sanai had been forced to flee war-torn Bosnia with her family when she was fifteen. Wed love your input. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Economics, 206. Reading: Defining Social Stratification, 86. For this reason, culture shock is often associated with traveling abroad, although it can happen in ones own country, state, or even hometown. Reading: Social Constructions of Reality, 51. Her imposing father kept his distance. Marias mother kissed Caitlin on both cheeks when she greeted her. a. Cultural relativismis the practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of ones own culture. Ethnocentric individuals believe that their own ethnicity is centrally important and all other cultures and ethnicity must be judged according to the standards of their own culture. It is a rule that is similar to "finder's keepers" because of the role that ethnocentrism plays in our personal approach. Caitlins shock was minor compared to that of her friends Dayar and Mahlika, a Turkish couple living in married student housing on campus. Eventually, as people learn more about a culture, they recover from culture shock. Modification, adaptation, and original content. Marias mother kissed Caitlin on both cheeks when she greeted her. The idea was formulated by Franz Boas; however, the term was later introduced by the social theorist, Alan Locke in 1924. Due to the extremist nature of both theories, anthropologists employ a strategy that is a sort of middle ground between these two viewpoints. Sometimes when people attempt to rectify feelings of ethnocentrism and develop cultural relativism, they swing too far to the other end of the spectrum. 7. Reading: Contemporary Issues in Education, 166. Outcome: Media and Technology in Society, 238. When they are introduced to their host families, the families kiss them on both cheeks. By the end of Caitlins trip, shed made new lifelong friends. Xenocentrism is the opposite of ethnocentrism, . In the United States, its most likely filled with coffee, not Earl Grey tea, a favorite in England, or Yak Butter tea, a staple in Tibet. Pride in ones own culture doesnt have to lead to imposing its values on others. Xenocentrismis the opposite of ethnocentrism, and refers to the belief that another culture is superior to ones own. They help people know when to shake hands, where to sit, how to converse, and even when to laugh. However, indiscriminately embracing everything about a new culture is not always possible. What issues or events might inform this? The tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own traditional, deferred, or adoptive ethnic culture. While each culture has specific and unique traits, there exist some traits that are found universally across all cultures of the world. When they are introduced to their host families, the families kiss them on both cheeks. Rodney and Elise are U.S. students studying abroad in Italy. ethnocentrism; xenocentrism; Show Answer. Reading: Demography and Population Growth, 219. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Ethnocentrism vs Xenocentrism - What's the difference? She understood that adjusting to a new culture takes time. Outcome: Theoretical Perspectives on Media and Technology, 240. She understood that adjusting to a new culture takes time. 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. In sociology, we call thisculture shock. Outcome: Theoretical Perspectives on Education, 157. A preference for the products, styles, or ideas of a different culture. Where he is from, unless they are romantically involved, men do not kiss one another. Marias family sat at the table for hours, speaking loudly, gesturing, and arguing about politics, a taboo dinner subject in Caitlins house. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Deviance, 77. Ethnocentrism is usually defined as a kind of ethnic or cultural group egocentrism, which involves a belief in the superiority of one's own group, including its values and practices, and often. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Social Movements, 231. Despite how much humans have in common, cultural differences are far more prevalent than cultural universals. 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 Attitudes and Practices, 132. Reading: Social Change and Modernization, 233. Shed learned a lot about Spain, but shed also discovered a lot about herself and her own culture. But the tribal members congratulated him, saying, You really tried! In Bargers own culture, he had learned to value victory. 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. They served wine and toasted their honored guest. She missed her home and felt overwhelmed by the new customs, language, and surroundings. Perhaps the Chicago traveler was initially captivated by Montanas quiet beauty and the Chinese student was originally excited to see a U.S.-style classroom firsthand. 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. These views are based on how one judges other cultures that are not ones own, and the practices and customs which are foreign in nature. 5.5: Reading: Ethnocentrism and Xenocentricism Originally from Indiana, Barger hesitated when invited to join a local snowshoe race. Outcome: Race, Ethnicity, and Discrimination, 106. It is impossible for anyone to keep all cultural biases at bay; the best we can do is strive to be aware of them. She understood that adjusting to a new culture takes time. In all these instances, you're considering yourself and your culture to be the best compared to all others. One example is the romanticization of the noble savage in the 18th-century primitivism movement in European art, philosophy and ethnography. 5.5: Reading: Ethnocentrism and Xenocentricism is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts. 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. is that ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own traditional, deferred, or adoptive ethnic culture while xenocentrism is a preference for the products, styles, or ideas of a different culture. Outcome: Theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power, 198. Where he is from, unless they are romantically involved, men do not kiss one another. For instance, a particular practice may seem immoral or unethical according to the beliefs of a different culture, but those same practices may be perfectly acceptable and normal with respect to its own culture. People with the best intentions sometimes travel to a society to help its people, because they see them as uneducated or backwardessentially inferior. It helps to remember that culture is learned. Read the full article here. Ethnocentrism can be so strong that when confronted with all of the differences of a new culture, one may experience disorientation and frustration. Reading: Ethnocentrism and Xenocentricism - Introductory Sociology We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! An ethnocentric is concerned with how similar others' cultural practices, symbols, and beliefs are to their own. Xenocentrism - Wikipedia Living with this constant stress can make people feel incompetent and insecure. Shed stepped out of her comfort zone. Ethnocentrism is a major factor in the divisions among members of different ethnicities, races, and religious groups. Despite how much humans have in common, cultural differences are far more prevalent than cultural universals. One example is the romanticization of the noble savage in the 18th-century primitivism movement in European art, philosophy and ethnography. 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. Other articles where ethnocentrism is discussed: race: The difference between racism and ethnocentrism: racism must be distinguished from ethnicity and ethnocentrism. We relate to others through a shared set of cultural norms, and ordinarily, we take them for granted. Reading: Health in the United States, 174. In some Middle Eastern cultures, it is common to stand close to others in conversation. Outcome: Reality as a Social Construct, 50. Xenocentrism noun A preference for the products, styles, or ideas of a different culture. Her imposing father kept his distance. 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. 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. During his time with the Inuit tribe, Barger learned to engage in cultural relativism. Cultural relativismis the practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of ones own culture. Reading: Introduction to Global Inequality, 93. Living with this constant stress can make people feel incompetent and insecure. 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. 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. Ethnocentrism can be so strong that when confronted with all of the differences of a new culture, one may experience disorientation and frustration. This leads to making incorrect assumptions about others' behavior based on your own norms, values, and beliefs. What issues or events might inform this? (Credit: Arian Zwegers/flickr) Sagada, Echo Valley, hanging coffins. Caitlin was half asleep by the time supper was servedat 10 p.m.! 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. This is an example of: [reveal-answer q=501221]Show Glossary[/reveal-answer] [hidden-answer a=501221]. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We relate to others through a shared set of cultural norms, and ordinarily, we take them for granted. During her summer vacation, Caitlin flew from Chicago to Madrid to visit Maria, the exchange student shed befriended the previous semester. Such characters are called cultural universals. (PDF) Ethnocentrism - ResearchGate Reading: Roles and the Presentation of Self, 52. Xenocentrism then stands in opposition to ethnocentrism, which is the belief that one's own culture or nation is superior to all others; those who show signs of ethnocentrism are said to. After two weeks in Spain, Caitlin had developed a bit more compassion and understanding for what those people had gone through. For example, Americans tend to say that people from England drive on the wrong side of the road, rather than on the other side. 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. Anthropologist Ken Barger (1971) discovered this when he conducted a participatory observation in an Inuit community in the Canadian Arctic. 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. In terms of sensitivity, ethnocentrism is insensitive to other cultures, while cultural relativism shows high cultural sensitivity. Outcome: Theoretical Perspectives on Stratification, 101. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. (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. It helps to remember that culture is learned. Reading: Conflict Perspective on Media and Technology, 242. But bit by bit, they became stressed by interacting with people from a different culture who spoke another language and used different regional expressions. Figure 2. But ethnocentrism can lead to disdain or dislike for other cultures and could cause misunderstanding and conflict. Marias family sat at the table for hours, speaking loudly, gesturing, and arguing about politics, a taboo dinner subject in Caitlins house.