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Introductory Sociology: Culture - Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism

What It Is

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to judge other cultures based on one's own cultural norms and values, often assuming that one's own culture is superior. For example, in the 19th century, Westerners viewed non-Western cultures as "savage" or "uncivilized." Sociologists care about ethnocentrism because it can lead to cultural imperialism and the suppression of minority cultures.

Must-Know Facts

• Ethnocentrism is a term coined by William Graham Sumner in 1906.
• Ethnocentrism can lead to cultural imperialism, where one culture dominates others.
• Cultural relativism is the opposite of ethnocentrism, where cultures are judged based on their own norms and values.
• The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that language influences thought and perception, which can lead to ethnocentrism.
• Edward Said critiqued Western ethnocentrism in his book "Orientalism" (1978).
• Margaret Mead studied cultural relativism in her book "Coming of Age in Samoa" (1928).
• Bronis?aw Malinowski developed the concept of participant observation, which helps sociologists avoid ethnocentrism.
• Emic and etic are terms used to describe cultural research: emic refers to insider perspectives, while etic refers to outsider perspectives.
• Cultural determinism is the idea that culture determines human behavior, which can lead to ethnocentrism.
• Cultural universalism is the idea that certain cultural practices are universal across cultures.
• Clifford Geertz developed the concept of thick description, which helps sociologists understand cultures on their own terms.
• The Tylor's theory of culture (1871) suggests that culture is a complex system of ideas and practices.
• Herbert Spencer coined the term social Darwinism, which is a form of ethnocentrism.
• The Azande people were studied by E.E. Evans-Pritchard in his book "Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic Among the Azande" (1937).
• The Trobriand Islanders were studied by Bronis?aw Malinowski in his book "Argonauts of the Western Pacific" (1922).
• The concept of "othering" refers to the process of creating a distinction between one's own culture and others.
• The concept of "cultural identity" refers to the way individuals define themselves in relation to their culture.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Ethnocentrism is a neutral or objective way of judging cultures.
• Correction: Ethnocentrism is a biased way of judging cultures based on one's own cultural norms and values.
• Misunderstanding: Cultural relativism means that all cultures are equal and should be judged equally.
• Correction: Cultural relativism means that cultures should be judged based on their own norms and values, not based on external standards.
• Misunderstanding: Ethnocentrism is only a problem in Western cultures.
• Correction: Ethnocentrism is a problem in all cultures, as it can lead to cultural imperialism and the suppression of minority cultures.

Practice Questions

Question 1: What is the opposite of ethnocentrism? A) Cultural imperialism B) Cultural relativism C) Social Darwinism D) Cultural universalism Answer: B) Cultural relativism Why correct: Cultural relativism is the opposite of ethnocentrism because it judges cultures based on their own norms and values.

Question 2: Who coined the term ethnocentrism? A) William Graham Sumner B) Edward Said C) Margaret Mead D) Bronis?aw Malinowski Answer: A) William Graham Sumner Why correct: William Graham Sumner coined the term ethnocentrism in 1906.

Question 3: What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis? A) The idea that language influences thought and perception B) The idea that culture determines human behavior C) The idea that all cultures are equal D) The idea that cultural imperialism is a problem Answer: A) The idea that language influences thought and perception Why correct: The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that language influences thought and perception, which can lead to ethnocentrism.

Question 4: Who developed the concept of participant observation? A) Bronis?aw Malinowski B) Edward Said C) Margaret Mead D) Clifford Geertz Answer: A) Bronis?aw Malinowski Why correct: Bronis?aw Malinowski developed the concept of participant observation, which helps sociologists avoid ethnocentrism.

Question 5: What is the concept of thick description? A) A way of understanding cultures on their own terms B) A way of judging cultures based on external standards C) A way of creating a distinction between one's own culture and others D) A way of suppressing minority cultures Answer: A) A way of understanding cultures on their own terms Why correct: Thick description is a concept developed by Clifford Geertz, which helps sociologists understand cultures on their own terms.

Quick Revision

William Graham Sumner coined the term ethnocentrism in 1906.
Edward Said critiqued Western ethnocentrism in his book "Orientalism" (1978).
Margaret Mead studied cultural relativism in her book "Coming of Age in Samoa" (1928).
Bronis?aw Malinowski developed the concept of participant observation.
Clifford Geertz developed the concept of thick description.
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that language influences thought and perception.
Cultural determinism is the idea that culture determines human behavior.
Cultural universalism is the idea that certain cultural practices are universal across cultures.
The Azande people were studied by E.E. Evans-Pritchard in his book "Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic Among the Azande" (1937).
The Trobriand Islanders were studied by Bronis?aw Malinowski in his book "Argonauts of the Western Pacific" (1922).
The concept of "othering" refers to the process of creating a distinction between one's own culture and others.
The concept of "cultural identity" refers to the way individuals define themselves in relation to their culture.