17 Questions
What is a cultural universal?
A trait that is shared by all known cultures
What is the difference between subculture and counterculture?
Subculture shares a distinctive pattern of values and norms, while counterculture actively rejects the dominant cultural values and norms.
What is cultural relativism?
The practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of one's own culture.
What is an example of high culture?
Practices and values of the upper classes
What is an example of popular culture?
Practices and values of the middle and working classes
What is the main difference between cultural variation and cultural universals?
Cultural variation refers to the rich diversity in social patterns, while cultural universals are traits that are shared by all known cultures.
What is the first stage of ethnocentrism?
Denial
In which stage of ethnocentrism are cultural differences seen as threatening to self?
Defense
What is the main focus of cultural relativism?
Trying to understand a culture on its own terms
According to William Sumner, what does ethnocentrism involve?
Using one's own culture to judge others
Which stage of ethnocentrism involves recognition of other cultural differences but downplaying their importance in our lives?
Minimization
What is cultural relativism?
The understanding that cultural practices should not be questioned by outsiders
What do we call the feeling of disorientation, uncertainty, or fear when exposed to an unfamiliar culture?
Culture Shock
Which form of cultural relativism creates questions about cultural practices and who is accepting them?
Critical Cultural Relativism
What is ethnocentrism?
Belief that one's own culture is superior to all others
Which concept refers to the existence of a diversity of cultures within one territory?
Multiculturalism
How can ethnocentrism lead to disorientation and frustration?
By judging other cultures using one's own as the standard
Study Notes
Cultural Universals and Cultural Variation
- Cultural Universals are traits that are part of every known culture, including bodily adornment, courtship, dancing, education, food taboos, funeral rites, etc.
- Cultural Variation refers to the rich diversity in social patterns that different human groups exhibit around the world.
Types of Cultures
- Subculture: a culture shared with a distinctive pattern of mores, folkways, and values that differ from a larger society.
- Counter Culture: a culture practiced by groups whose values and norms place it at odds with mainstream society or actively reject dominant cultural values and norms.
- High Culture: a culture practiced and patronized by the upper classes of society.
- Popular Culture: a culture practiced or patronized by the middle and working classes of society.
Cultural Relativism
- Cultural Relativism: the practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of one's own culture.
- Example: Pepay, a cultural relativist from the Philippines, looks at other cultures in terms of what their practices bring to them.
- Goals of Cultural Relativism: to understand a culture on its own terms, putting oneself in another culture's shoes/eyes.
Ethnocentrism
- Ethnocentrism: the use of one's own culture to judge others in their society, regarding one's own culture as the center of everything.
- Example: Pedro, an ethnocentric from the Philippines, considers others' beliefs and practices to be savage or corrupt, or is often confused by other people's cultures.
- 3 Stages of Ethnocentrism:
- Stage 1: Denial - denial that cultural differences exist.
- Stage 2: Defense - acknowledgement of cultural differences, but seen as threatening to self.
- Stage 3: Minimization - recognition of cultural differences, but downplaying their importance.
Culture Shock and Multiculturalism
- Culture Shock: the feeling of disorientation, uncertainty, or fear when immersed in an unfamiliar culture.
- Multiculturalism: the existence of a diversity of cultures within one territory, and a way of conceptualizing and managing cultural diversity.
- Critical Cultural Relativism: creates questions about cultural practices in terms of who accepts them and why.
Test your knowledge on Cultural Universals, Cultural Variation, Subcultures, and Countercultures with this quiz based on the lesson on Cultural Relativism and Ethnocentrism.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
