Cultural Concepts: Ethnocentrism & Relativism

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Questions and Answers

What is ethnocentrism?

Using your culture as a yardstick to judge other cultures (correct)

Appreciating cultural differences

Avoiding judgments about other cultures

Understanding a culture on its own terms

What does cultural relativism promote?

Judging other cultures

Maintaining cultural superiority

Understanding cultures on their own terms (correct)

Encouraging ethnocentrism

What is material culture?

Parts of culture that involve material objects.

What is non-material culture?

Parts of culture that involve non-material objects. Signup and view all the answers

What is culture shock?

The feeling of disorientation or surprise when exposed to a vastly different culture. Signup and view all the answers

What does symbolic culture refer to?

Another term for non-material culture. Signup and view all the answers

What is a symbol in the context of culture?

Something to which people attach meaning and use to communicate. Signup and view all the answers

What are gestures?

Ways in which people move their bodies to communicate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

Language is the basis of our learning, thinking, and perceiving. Signup and view all the answers

What is a positive sanction?

A reward for following a norm. Signup and view all the answers

What is a negative sanction?

A punishment for breaking a norm. Signup and view all the answers

What is ideal culture?

The ideal values and norms of a people. Signup and view all the answers

What is real culture?

The actual values and norms of a people. Signup and view all the answers

Match the qualities of language with their descriptions:

<ol> <li>Language allows communication = Allows people to express thoughts and ideas.</li> <li>Language allows memory = Facilitates recalling information.</li> <li>Language allows planning = Helps organize future actions.</li> <li>Language shares ideas = Enables collective understanding of concepts.</li> <li>Language facilitates shared goals = Aligns groups towards common objectives.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What defines a subculture?

Values and behaviors that distinguish members from a larger group. Signup and view all the answers

What is counterculture?

A group that places its beliefs in opposition to the broader group. Signup and view all the answers

What are values in the context of culture?

Standards by which people define what is desirable or undesirable. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes folkways?

Norms that are not strictly enforced Signup and view all the answers

What is cultural lag?

A delay in the adoption of new technologies Signup and view all the answers

What is cultural diffusion?

The spread of a culture's characteristics from one culture to another. Signup and view all the answers

How do Americans and other first world countries view ethnocentrism?

They are characterized by an ethnocentric view Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism

Ethnocentrism: Evaluating other cultures based on one's cultural standards, often leading to negative perceptions.
Example: Snobby tourists or the Pilgrims viewing native cultures as inferior.
Cultural Relativism: Understanding a culture on its own terms without judgment, promoting respect and comprehension.
Example: Organizations like Doctors Without Borders and the Peace Corps exemplify this concept.

Material and Non-Material Culture

Material Culture: Involves tangible objects that are part of a culture.
Examples: Clothing, art, food, and jewelry.
Non-Material Culture: Comprises intangible aspects of culture.
Examples: Religion, language, values, and symbols.

Culture Shock

Culture Shock: A feeling of disorientation experienced when encountering a vastly different culture.
Example: Realizing personal privilege when witnessing poverty in countries like Thailand or India.

Symbolic Culture and Symbols

Symbolic Culture: Another term for non-material culture; involves aspects that cannot be physically touched.
Examples: Religion, language, values, and symbols.
Symbol: An object or concept that holds meaning for communication.
Example: Language serves as a primary symbol for interaction.

Communication through Gestures and Language

Gestures: Body movements used to convey information.
Examples: Hand signals or specific gestures like the middle finger.
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: Suggests that language influences thought and perception; comprehension requires knowledge of language.

Sanctions and Cultural Norms

Positive Sanction: Rewards given for conforming to social norms.
Example: Monetary reward for dressing appropriately.
Negative Sanction: Penalties for violating norms.
Example: Timeout for inappropriate behavior.

Ideal Culture vs. Real Culture

Ideal Culture: Represents the aspirational values and norms of a society.
Example: Concept of a perfect paradise like heaven.
Real Culture: The actual behaviors and beliefs practiced in daily life.
Example: Everyday societal norms.

The Importance of Language

Qualities of Language:
- Facilitates communication.
- Enables memory retention.
- Supports planning.
- Shares collective ideas (e.g., religion).
- Achieves common goals.

Subcultures and Countercultures

Subculture: A group with distinct values and behaviors that differ from the mainstream, but not in opposition.
Example: Work subcultures with unique characteristics (e.g., outdoorsy people).
Counterculture: A group that actively opposes the dominant culture.
Example: The KKK represents a counterculture opposing societal norms.

Values and Norms

Values: Standards that define what is considered attractive or desirable.
Folkways: Mildly enforced norms; societal expectations that are more relaxed.
Example: Dress conventions (e.g., men having short hair).
Mores: Norms that are strictly enforced by society.
Example: Expectation for gender-appropriate clothing.
Taboo: Extremely strict norms that, when broken, result in severe societal condemnation.
Examples: Acts like cannibalism or incest.

Cultural Dynamics

Cultural Lag: Concept describing the delay in societal adaptation to new technological advancements.
Example: The Amish lifestyle maintaining traditional practices despite modern technologies.
Cultural Diffusion: The process through which cultural characteristics spread from one culture to another.
Example: Adoption of a language across different countries.

Perspectives on Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism is prevalent among Americans and other first-world nations, contributing to negative stereotypes and views of other cultures as inferior.

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Description

Explore the essential concepts of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism, and understand how these perspectives influence our view of different cultures. Delve into the distinctions between material and non-material culture, as well as the challenges of culture shock. This quiz will help you reflect on the importance of respecting diverse cultural practices.