Ethnocentrism vs Cultural Relativism

​Cultural Anthropology

​Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism

Take a look at these images and think about "What are they doing?"

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Open Ended

What do you think they are doing in the images?

This is called a 'Hongi' and it is a traditional Maori greeting. Which is now a New Zealand tradition.

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How does this greeting compare to your own?

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Time for some poll questions!

Answer honestly for the following prompts

Poll

No group has the right to stand in the way of

“the greater good for the greater number”

• Agree

• Disagree

Poll

Immigrants to Canada should give up their foreign ways and adapt to their new country as quickly as possible.

• Agree

• Disagree

Poll

Many of the world’s populations do not take enough initiative to develop themselves; therefore, they remain undeveloped or underdeveloped.

• Agree

• Disagree

• Our views towards the questions depend heavily on the culture we're coming from.

• Remember to consider the concepts of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism when exploring other cultures.

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​Remember

Let's revisit some questions that were previously explored to consolidate your knowledge.​ Try to use knowledge, ideas and vocabulary that you have learned so far in your answers.

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Recap:​

Open Ended

Is there any value to studying different cultures around the world?

Multiple Choice

What country is identified with the A?

• Rwanda

• Mozambique

• Ethiopia

• The Congo

Open Ended

Should we place personal judgments and standards on people from different cultures?

Multiple Choice

What country is identified with the B?

• Germany

• Poland

• Austria

• The Czech Republic

Multiple Choice

All of the following are true about Cultural Anthropology except:

• It is a social science that studies cultures around the world

• Cultural anthropologists have to remain objective and discourage generalizations

• It can help us to reinforce our existing beliefs and stereotypes about a place.

• The goal of cultural anthropology is to prevent ethnocentrism and instead to promote cultural relativism.  

Multiple Choice

What country is identified with the C?

• Brazil

• Argentina

• Venezuela

• Columbia

Open Ended

How we do remain objective when studying other cultures?

Multiple Choice

All of the following statements are true about Ethnocentrism except:

• Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's cultural group is centrally important and superior to others

• We are Ethnocentric when we use our cultural norms to make generalizations about other peoples' cultures and customs. 

• Ethnocentrism can be used to obtain an objective and nuanced perspective of another culture.

• Ethnocentrism leads to cultural misinterpretation and it often distorts communication between human beings.

Open Ended

Are there universal elements that exist in all cultures? If so, what are they?

Multiple Choice

Cultural ____________ is an approach to understanding diversity.

It is the principle that an individual human's beliefs and activities make sense in terms of his or her own culture.

This perspective explains human diversity as a logical outcome of the diverse environments in which humans live.

• Anthropology

• Relativism

• Ethnocentrism

• Imperative

Poll

Is there such a thing as a universal standard of beauty?

• Yes

• No

Reflect on the Following Question:

What are the challenges associated with determining international standards for morality within cultural relativism?

Reflect on the Following Question:

Where should the line be drawn between being tolerant of other peoples ways of life and access to basic human rights?​

Open Ended

Where should the line be drawn between being tolerant of other peoples ways of life and access to basic human rights?​