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Understanding Culture, Society and Politics: Quarter 3 - Module 2
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics: Quarter 3 - Module 2
Quarter 3 - Module 2:
Ethnocentrism
and
Cultural Relativism
Sir Vhong
PRINCE OF PEACE COLLEGE, Inc.
What I Know
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of paper.
1. It assumes that each society has a unique and different form of culture that cannot
be judged into one’s own culture.
A. Ethnocentric View C. Historical Particularism
B. Cultural Relativism D. Participant Observation
2. James Rachel made a critical position about accepting cultural relativism. Which
among the following is NOT part of his claims about this perspective?
A. Moral progress is always questionable.
B. Objective criticism of one’s own culture is shallow.
C. Moral progress is slow because of acceptance of other’s culture.
D. Rightfulness of an action within a society is primarily determined by the
moral standards of that society.
3. American President Donald Trump made a “Pocahontas” joke at a ceremony
honoring Navajo native veterans. If were a cultural relativist, what advice would
you give to Donald Trump? Tell him that
A. different societies have different moral codes.
B. there are no moral truths that always holds for all people.
C. the moral code of a society determines what is right or wrong within the
society.
D. All of the above.
4. What strategy are you using when you take into account another person’s thoughts,
values, background, and perspectives while you interact with him/her?
A. Common Courtesy C. Paraphrasing
B. Empathy D. Social decentering
Lesson
What’s In
Loop-A-Term!
To prove your understanding from the past lesson, you should be ready to
accomplish this task. You may do the following.
3
Directions:
1. The 10 words listed below are hidden inside the grid. These words can run on all
possible directions – horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
2. Locate the words and circle them as you find them.
SOCIET MORES POWER LANGUAG BELIEF
Y S N S C I T I L OE P M S S
MAN CULTUR LAWS POLITICS NORM
E EO D F C U L T U R E F
R R C D Q H A P A C H E
O M X I R E W O P C H I
M A N G E R S E S C J L
D R B N M T H O E G K E
S A G C M O Y R W J L B
K O L O E G A U G N A L
PRINCE OF PEACE COLLEGE, Inc.
What’s New
Analyze the words and phrases listed inside the box as they will enable you to gain
an easier understanding and deeper appreciation of this lesson.
Figure 1. A new description of China, once called the region of Sina, by Ludovicus Georgius
(Courtesy of Wikimedia. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CEM- 11-Chinae-nova-
descriptio-2521.jpg
What is It
The concept of Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism has been a critical issue of
morality in our society for a long period of time. With the complexities of these topics, it is
helpful to analyze the points of view of experts regarding this concern.
Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism is the view that one’s own cultural elements such as norms, values,
ideology, customs, and traditions are dominant and superior to others (Brown, 2007).
William Graham Sumner (1906) coined the term ethnocentrism in his work
Folkways that served as the foundation in social analysis of every culture. According to
his definition, ethnocentrism is a technical name to see things in which one’s own cultural
identity is the center of everything over which all must be scaled, rated, and referred to.
This perspective led to conceited behavior and the belief of the superiority of one’s own
group with great prejudice to outsiders. While ethnocentrism takes universal stage, which
propels cohesion and continuity at all levels of social structure, it provides a rational
explanation for attack made on other culture or subculture in its extreme forms.
It can be seen in Philippine society that ethnocentrism is still emerging. The sense of
identity seems to be a contributing reason for this. It goes deeper in our history that the
mixture of different cultures has created several identity marks resulting in our diverse
cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. Also, our indigenous culture can be
categorized as old, non-advanced technology with no sense of modernity. After the
primitive age, we begin to be the melting pot of Western and Oriental cultures resulting in
a shaky and complex identity attributed to us today. With this characteristic, it is very
difficult to blend this type of indigenous culture to the fast-changing society.
Chinof (2016) made some observations on how to address this growing concern on
Filipino ethnocentrism.
Cultural Relativism
Culture, just like a story, conveys different meanings and it can vary among the
people who created it. It poses a challenge to the idea that culture is the same for
everyone. Also, culture like a story has a life of its own. This notion rejects the concept of
cultural universality.
Cultural relativism refers to an objective analysis of
one’s own culture – seeing and understanding of
one’s beliefs and traditions from his/her own point
of view. It also entails not to judge the practices of
others based on your own culture; hence, respecting
it in their own cultural context. For example, you
may find eating insects as an unacceptable and a
disgusting practice. However, in Thailand, as well
as parts of Central America like Mexico, it is
considered Delicacy. Instead of being prejudiced,
one can pose an interesting question like “Why do
some cultures eat fried insects?”
According to James Rachels (2003),
the following claims have all been made by cultural relativists:
1. Each society has a diverse set of moral conducts.
2. The rightfulness of an action within a society is primarily determined by the moral
standards of that society.
3. There is no objective standard that can be used as a basis of comparison among
societies.
4. The moral code of our own society is just part of a larger body of morality and
ethical standards.
5. High tolerance among all culture must be exercised always.
2. The decision whether actions are right or wrong can be done just by consulting the
standards of our society.
3. The idea of moral progress is always questionable.
4. The objective criticism of one’s own culture is shallow.
5. There will be no idea of moral progress because of acceptance of other’s culture.
The aspect of mutual respect and understanding must be observed. This is the first
step towards a deeper appreciation of one’s culture. Tolerance and acceptance of cultural
diversities within the bounds of our own moral and ethical standard can be a way to
understand individual differences.
1. Cultural relativism tends to promote one’s own culture. Which of your ancestral
culture and traditions are you most proud of?
2. In our divided world of perspectives and points of view, how can we maintain
respect despite cultural differences?
3. James Rachel made some critical observations regarding cultural relativism. In the
Philippines where we highly respect cultural differences, suggest some good points
that contradict Rachel’s assertions.
4. In our present society where some leaders use their ethnocentric ego to establish
rules and authority, as a youth, how can you uplift laws and democratic principles
which should be applied equally to all, regardless of one’s religion, political beliefs,
gender, economic, and social status?
5. What do you think are the root causes of ethnocentric view? What can you suggest
to prevent people from having this characteristic?
Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter
on a separate sheet of paper.
Additional Activities