Rodney and Elise are U.S. students studying abroad in Italy. North Americans keep more distance and maintain a large personal space. Even something as simple as eating and drinking varies greatly from culture to culture. What Caitlin hadnt realized was that people depend not only on spoken words but also on subtle cues like gestures and facial expressions, to communicate. Xenocentrismis the opposite of ethnocentrism, and refers to the belief that another culture is superior to ones own. Reading: Introduction to Sociological Research, 29. He knew hed never hold his own against these experts. Despite how much humans have in common, cultural differences are far more prevalent than cultural universals. Where he is from, unless they are romantically involved, men do not kiss one another. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Despite how much humans have in common, cultural differences are far more prevalent than cultural universals. Reading: Symbolic Interactionist Theory, 20. She missed her home and felt overwhelmed by the new customs, language, and surroundings. Why It Matters: Socialization and Interaction, 55. " Ethnocentrism, a term coined by William Graham Sumner, is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of your own ethnic culture and the belief that that is in fact the "right" way to look at the world. An American visiting Italy might long for a real pizza or complain about the unsafe driving habits of Italians compared to people in the United States. Reading: Ethnocentrism and Xenocentricism, 39. Shed stepped out of her comfort zone. Ethnocentrism, as sociologist William Graham Sumner (1906) described the term, involves a belief or attitude that ones own culture is better than all others. The bias may be due to ones own cultural beliefs or due to the individuals understanding and perception of human rights and ethics. It's the belief that one's ethnic group is superior to another. For instance, a particular practice may seem immoral or unethical according to the beliefs of a different culture, but those same practices may be perfectly acceptable and normal with respect to its own culture. Ethnocentrism in social science and anthropologyas well as in colloquial English discoursemeans to apply one's own culture or ethnicity as a frame of reference to judge other cultures, practices, behaviors, beliefs, and people, instead of using the standards of the particular culture involved. Do you feel that feelings of ethnocentricity or xenocentricity are more prevalent in U.S. culture? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices. Even the most culturally relativist people from egalitarian societiesones in which women have political rights and control over their own bodieswould question whether the widespread practice of female genital mutilation in countries such as Ethiopia and Sudan should be accepted as a part of cultural tradition. Living with this constant stress can make people feel incompetent and insecure. What Caitlin hadnt realized was that people depend not only on spoken words but also on subtle cues like gestures and facial expressions, to communicate. Everyone is ethnocentric to an extent, and identifying with ones own country is natural. Distinctions are made between different cultures based on language, behavior, customs, traditions, religion, etc. Sanai had been forced to flee war-torn Bosnia with her family when she was fifteen. Reading: Class Structure in the United States, 92. Outcome: Theoretical Perspectives on Stratification, 101. It is impossible for anyone to keep all cultural biases at bay; the best we can do is strive to be aware of them. It can take weeks or months to recover from culture shock, and it can take years to fully adjust to living in a new culture. Ethnocentrism, as sociologist William Graham Sumner (1906) described the term, involves a belief or attitude that one's own culture is better than all others, and should therefore serve as the standard frame of reference. a. North Americans keep more distance and maintain a larger personal space. Even something as simple as eating and drinking varies greatly from culture to culture. Anthropologist Kalervo Oberg (1960) is credited with first coining the term culture shock. In his studies, Oberg found that most people found encountering a new culture to be exciting at first. primarily from the perspective of one's own as being superior. And it was nothing like that of her classmate Sanai. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Youll have more success on the Self-Check, if youve completed the three Readings in this section. Such attitudes are an example ofethnocentrism, or evaluating and judging another culture based on how it compares to ones own cultural norms. 3 Reasons Doing Nothing Can Actually be Productive, 3 Myths Far Too Many People Believe About the Past. Xenocentrism: Concept in Sociology and Examples However, indiscriminately embracing everything about a new culture is not always possible. Marias family sat at the table for hours, speaking loudly, gesturing, and arguing about politics, a taboo dinner subject in Caitlins house. The way individuals perceive other cultural practices can be broadly segregated into two types - cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. The way cuisines vary across cultures fascinates many people. (The Greek root word xeno, pronounced ZEE-no, means stranger or foreign guest.) An exchange student who goes home after a semester abroad or a sociologist who returns from the field may find it difficult to associate with the values of their own culture after having experienced what they deem a more upright or nobler way of living. Outcome: Race, Ethnicity, and Discrimination, 106. Ethnocentrism, as sociologist William Graham Sumner (1906) described the term, involves a belief or attitude that one's own culture is better than all others, and should therefore serve as the standard frame of reference. These views involve examining a culture and all its aspects and evaluating them. It helps to remember that culture is learned. is that ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own traditional, deferred, or adoptive ethnic culture while xenocentrism is a preference for the products, styles, or ideas of a different culture. Ethnocentricity synonyms, ethnocentricity antonyms - FreeThesaurus.com 26 Ethnocentrism synonyms. Outcome: Theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power, 198. They help people know when to shake hands, where to sit, how to converse, and even when to laugh. Explain each perspective, give an example of each, and discuss any flaws that each perspective might have. Both these viewpoints or concepts present extremist views, i.e. Reading: Lines of Descent and Family Stages, 141. Shed learned a lot about Spain, but shed also discovered a lot about herself and her own culture. European colonizers often viewed the people in the lands they colonized as uncultured savages who were in need of European governance, dress, religion, and other cultural practices. Shed stepped out of her comfort zone. Despite how much humans have in common, cultural differences are far more prevalent than cultural universals. Reading: Defining the Sociological Imagination, 13. Europes colonial expansion, begun in the sixteenth century, was often accompanied by a severe cultural imperialism. Outcome: Demography and Population Growth, 215. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Government, 199. Outcome: The Social Construction of Health, 169. North Americans keep more distance and maintain a large personal space. Even something as simple as eating and drinking varies greatly from culture to culture. People react to frustration in a new culture, Oberg found, by initially rejecting it and glorifying ones own culture. Some examples of such universals include adorning ones body with ornaments, concepts of privacy, respect, and morality, etc. Figure 2. He knew hed never hold his own against these experts. If your professor comes into an early morning class holding a mug of liquid, what do you assume she is drinking? She missed her home and felt overwhelmed by the new customs, language, and surroundings. The way individuals perceive other cultural practices can be broadly segregated into two types cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. Shed studied Spanish in school for yearswhy hadnt it prepared her for this? In sociology, we call thisculture shock. Reading: Charter Schools and Homeschooling, 165. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. This perception of one's culture in comparison to other's plays a great role in how we perceive the individuals around us and the groups that we are a part of. It involves evaluating other cultures and ethnic groups based on the standards and values of one's own group and viewing them as inferior or less important. But the tribal members congratulated him, saying, You really tried! In Bargers own culture, he had learned to value victory. Cultural norms accompany even the smallest nonverbal signals (DuBois 1951). What are another words for Ethnocentrism? Originally from Indiana, Barger hesitated when invited to join a local snowshoe race. Read the full article here. Sure enough, he finished last, to his mortification. In reality, these travelers are guilty ofcultural imperialism, the deliberate imposition of ones own cultural values on another culture. Perhaps the greatest challenge for sociologists studying different cultures is the matter of keeping a perspective. After two weeks in Spain, Caitlin had developed a bit more compassion and understanding for what those people had gone through. She understood that adjusting to a new culture takes time. During her summer vacation, Caitlin flew from Chicago to Madrid to visit Maria, the exchange student shed befriended the previous semester. If your professor comes into an early morning class holding a mug of liquid, what do you assume she is drinking? Ethnocentrism is usually defined as a kind of ethnic or cultural group egocentrism, which involves a belief in the superiority of one's own group, including its values and practices, and often. That night, Caitlin crawled into a strange bed, wishing she hadnt come. What issues or events might inform this? Xenocentrism is the preference for the cultural practices of other cultures and societies which can entail how they live, what they eat, rather than of one's own way of life. Outcome: Sociological Views on Religion, 149. People react to frustration in a new culture, Oberg found, by initially rejecting it and glorifying ones own culture. Eventually, as people learn more about a culture, they recover from culture shock. To the Inuit people, winning was enjoyable, but their culture valued survival skills essential to their environment: how hard someone tried could mean the difference between life and death. They help people know when to shake hands, where to sit, how to converse, and even when to laugh. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. Putting It Together: Work and the Economy, 213. Reading: Conflict Theory on Education, 159. . Xenocentrism noun A preference for the products, styles, or ideas of a different culture. Why do you believe this? Perhaps the greatest challenge for sociologists studying different cultures is the matter of keeping a perspective. [reveal-answer q=436227]Show Answer[/reveal-answer], [reveal-answer q=248899]Show Answer[/reveal-answer]. Reading: Defining Social Stratification, 86. A traveler from Chicago might find the nightly silence of rural Montana unsettling, not peaceful. Ethnocentrism can be so strong that when confronted with all of the differences of a new culture, one may experience disorientation and frustration. Ethnocentrism is a major factor in the divisions among members of different ethnicities, races, and religious groups. Due to the extremist nature of both theories, anthropologists employ a strategy that is a sort of middle ground between these two viewpoints. Practicing cultural relativism requires an open mind and a willingness to consider, and even adapt to, new values and norms. While each culture has specific and unique traits, there exist some traits that are found universally across all cultures of the world. In a more extreme sense, some cultures may idolize . Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply.See Wiktionary Terms of Use for details. It is a rule that is similar to "finder's keepers" because of the role that ethnocentrism plays in our personal approach. For example, while all cultures have language, analysis of particular language structures and conversational etiquette reveal tremendous differences. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Deviance, 77. 5.5: Reading: Ethnocentrism and Xenocentricism Introductory Sociology by Lumen Learning is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted. For this reason, culture shock is often associated with traveling abroad, although it can happen in ones own country, state, or even hometown. Xenocentrism then stands in opposition to ethnocentrism, which is the belief that one's own culture or nation is superior to all others; those who show signs of ethnocentrism are said to. 3. Reading: Health in the United States, 174. (PDF) Ethnocentrism - ResearchGate Where he is from, unless they are romantically involved, men do not kiss one another. I disagree." The Dangerous Intersection of Christian Nationalism and Ethnocentrism. Exceptionalism Ethnocentrism vs Xenocentrism - What's the difference? This is an example of: Youll have more success on the Self-Check, if youve completed the three Readings in this section. As nouns the difference between ethnocentrism and xenocentrism is that ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own traditional, deferred, or adoptive ethnic culture while xenocentrism is a preference for the products, styles, or ideas of a different culture. People with the best intentions sometimes travel to a society to help its people, because they see them as uneducated or backwardessentially inferior. Racism, isolationism, xenophobia, chauvinism. A more modern example of cultural imperialism may include the work of international aid agencies who introduce agricultural methods and plant species from developed countries while overlooking indigenous varieties and agricultural approaches that are better suited to the particular region. Why It Matters: Government and Politics, 196. Xenocentrism is the preference for the cultural practices of other cultures and societies, such as how they live and what they eat, rather than of one's own social way of life. And an appreciation for another culture shouldnt preclude individuals from studying it with a critical eye. Someone from a country where dog meat is standard fare might find it off-putting to see a dog in a French restaurantnot on the menu, but as a pet and fellow patrons companion. A good example of ethnocentrism is referring to parts of Asia as the Far East. One might question, Far east of where?. The idea was formulated by Franz Boas; however, the term was later introduced by the social theorist, Alan Locke in 1924. Why It Matters: Social Movements, Media, and Technology, 225. It is unexpected that an individual would value the goods, services, styles, ideas and other cultural elements of another nation. But as they experience unanticipated differences from their own culture, their excitement gives way to discomfort and doubts about how to behave appropriately in the new situation. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Perhaps the Chicago traveler was initially captivated with Montanas quiet beauty and the Chinese student was originally excited to see a U.S.-style classroom firsthand. Reading: Social Constructions of Reality, 51. An exchange student from China might be annoyed by the constant interruptions in class as other students ask questionsa practice that is considered rude in China. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism - Culture and Psychology - Maricopa That night, Caitlin crawled into a strange bed, wishing she hadnt come. (Photo courtesy of OledSidorenko/flickr), [reveal-answer q=436227]Show Answer[/reveal-answer], [reveal-answer q=248899]Show Answer[/reveal-answer]. For example, while all cultures have language, analysis of particular language structures and conversational etiquette reveal tremendous differences. Xenocentrism is the opposite of ethnocentrism, . Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Gender, 130. A cross-cultural comparison of ethnocentrism and the intercultural It proposes that all cultures have their own merits and demerits, and hence are of equal value such that there is no concept of cultural superiority. Almost everyone is a little bit ethnocentric. Comparing the Similarities and Differences in the Two - Kibin APA Citation Style, 6th edition: General Style Guidelines, 5. Outcome: Globalization and the Economy, 209. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Sex, 133. An exchange student from China might be annoyed by the constant interruptions in class as other students ask questionsa practice that is considered rude in China. In the airport, she heard rapid, musical Spanish being spoken all around her. Pride in ones own culture doesnt have to lead to imposing its values on others. Outcome: Types of Formal Organizations, 69. Outcome: Pop Culture, Subculture, and Cultural Change, 44. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism | Introduction to Sociology Despite how much humans have in common, cultural differences are far more prevalent than cultural universals. Someone from a country where dog meat is standard fare might find it off-putting to see a dog in a French restaurantnot on the menu, but as a pet and patrons companion. Sanai had been forced to flee war-torn Bosnia with her family when she was fifteen. 3. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Most cultures have been found to identify laughter as a sign of humor, joy, or pleasure. Music and laughter are examples of: [reveal-answer q=72875]Show Answer[/reveal-answer], http://cnx.org/contents/02040312-72c8-441e-a685-20e9333f3e1d/Introduction_to_Sociology_2e, http://cnx.org/contents/02040312-72c9333f3e1d@3.49. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Marriage and Family, 145. Accessibility StatementFor more information contact us atinfo@libretexts.org. Ethnocentrism is the practice of judging other cultures based. Reading: Ethnocentrism and Xenocentricism | Introduction to Sociology Anthropologist Kalervo Oberg (1960) is credited with first coining the term culture shock. In his studies, Oberg found that most people found encountering a new culture to be exciting at first. Reading: Ethnocentrism and Xenocentricism - Introductory Sociology This concept was developed to attempt to overcome ethnocentric bias when conducting anthropological studies. Xenocentrism - Wikipedia Antonyms for ethnocentricity. Eventually, as people learn more about a culture, they recover from culture shock. What issues or events might inform this? The belief that ones culture is inferior to another culture is called: 2. We relate to others through a shared set of cultural norms, and ordinarily, we take them for granted. 27 Apr 2023 17:23:35 Outcome: Health in the United States and Abroad, 173. During her summer vacation, Caitlin flew from Chicago to Madrid to visit Maria, the exchange student shed befriended the previous semester. But the tribal members congratulated him, saying, You really tried! In Bargers own culture, he had learned to value victory. Her imposing father kept his distance. We hope you enjoy this website. Ethnocentrism, as sociologist William Graham Sumner (1906) described the term, involves a belief or attitude that ones own culture is better than all others. Why do you believe this? In some Middle Eastern cultures, it is common to stand close to others in conversation. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! Europes colonial expansion, begun in the sixteenth century, was often accompanied by a severe cultural imperialism. Figure 1. They served wine and toasted their honored guest. Putting It Together: Social Movements, Media, and Technology. 5.5: Reading: Ethnocentrism and Xenocentricism is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts. For this reason, culture shock is often associated with traveling abroad, although it can happen in ones own country, state, or even hometown. People with the best intentions sometimes travel to a society to help its people, because they see them as uneducated or backwardessentially inferior. Almost everyone is a little bit ethnocentric. Cultural relativism is a view that a culture must be judged according to its own cultural standards. It helps to remember that culture is learned. When Rodneys host brother introduces himself and kisses Rodney on both cheeks, Rodney pulls back in surprise. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Economics, 206. This is an example of: [reveal-answer q=501221]Show Glossary[/reveal-answer] Some travelers pride themselves on their willingness to try unfamiliar foods, like celebrated food writer Anthony Bourdain, while others return home expressing gratitude for their native cultures fare. Outcome: The Environment and Society, 223. Want to create or adapt books like this? Sometimes when people attempt to rectify feelings of ethnocentrism and develop cultural relativism, they swing too far to the other end of the spectrum. Almost everyone is a little bit ethnocentric. They served wine and toasted their honored guest. 6.8: Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism - Social Sci LibreTexts Ethnocentrism Examples in History and Today | YourDictionary Pride in ones own culture doesnt have to lead to imposing its values on others. 3. In the United States, its most likely filled with coffee, not Earl Grey tea, a favorite in England, or Yak Butter tea, a staple in Tibet. A high level of appreciation for ones own culture can be healthy; a shared sense of community pride, for example, connects people in a society. Reading: Introduction to Media and Technology, 235. She missed her home and felt overwhelmed by the new customs, language, and surroundings. 3.1E: Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism - Social Sci LibreTexts Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related. Someone from a country where dog meat is standard fare might find it off-putting to see a dog in a French restaurantnot on the menu, but as a pet and patrons companion. Answer (1 of 3): The main similarity is that they both are too much. The basis for evaluation differs according to the view employed. Marias mother kissed Caitlin on both cheeks when she greeted her. . 17 Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethnocentrism - ConnectUS Often, people in the United States express disgust at other cultures cuisine and think that its gross to eat meat from a dog or guinea pig, for example, while they dont question their own habit of eating cows or pigs. This comparison of one's culture to others has a significant impact on how we perceive the people around us and the organizations to which we belong. Shed learned a lot about Spain, but shed also discovered a lot about herself and her own culture. People react to frustration in a new culture, Oberg found, by initially rejecting it and glorifying ones own culture. Outcome: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, 128. We relate to others through a shared set of cultural norms, and ordinarily, we take them for granted. Xenocentrism Concept & Examples | What is Xenocentrism? - Video Practicing cultural relativism requires an open mind and a willingness to consider, and even adapt to, new values and norms. . Caitlins shock was minor compared to that of her friends Dayar and Mahlika, a Turkish couple living in married student housing on campus. And an appreciation for another culture shouldnt preclude individuals from studying it with a critical eye. Sometimes when people attempt to rectify feelings of ethnocentrism and to practice cultural relativism, they swing too far to the other end of the spectrum. Xenocentrism is the opposite of . Caitlin had trouble interpreting her hosts facial expressions, and didnt realize she should make the next toast. Reading: Social Change and Modernization, 233. Do you feel that feelings of ethnocentricity or xenocentricity are more prevalent in U.S. culture? In psychological terms, xenocentrism is considered a type of deviant behavior because it sways from the norms of society. Reading: Structural-Functional Theory, 18. People with the best intentions sometimes travel to a society to help its people, because they see them as uneducated or backwardessentially inferior. Anthropologist Ken Barger (1971) discovered this when he conducted a participatory observation in an Inuit community in the Canadian Arctic. The belief that ones culture is inferior to another culture is called: 2. Reading: Marriage and Courtship Patterns, 138. Sociologists attempting to engage in cultural relativism, then, may struggle to reconcile aspects of their own culture with aspects of a culture that they are studying. In some Middle Eastern cultures, it is common to stand close to others in conversation. Reading: Universal Access to Education, 156. . Reading: Theoretical Perspectives of Race and Ethnicity, 111. What issues or events might inform this? What issues or events might inform this? Music and laughter are examples of: [reveal-answer q=72875]Show Answer[/reveal-answer], Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. A more modern example of cultural imperialism may include the work of international aid agencies who introduce agricultural methods and plant species from developed countries while overlooking indigenous varieties and agricultural approaches that are better suited to the particular region. Putting It Together: Gender, Sex, and Sexuality, 137. We also acknowledge previous National Science Foundation support under grant numbers 1246120, 1525057, and 1413739. She understood that adjusting to a new culture takes time. European colonizers often viewed the people in the lands they colonized as uncultured savages who were in need of European governance, dress, religion, and other cultural practices. In the United States, its most likely filled with coffee, not Earl Grey tea, a favorite in England, or Yak Butter tea, a staple in Tibet. while ethnocentrism leans towards intolerance, cultural relativism leans towards incredibly high tolerance of cultural features. Do you feel that feelings of ethnocentricity or xenocentricity are more prevalent in U.S. culture? Pride in ones own culture doesnt have to lead to imposing its values on others. [hidden-answer a=501221]. He knew hed never hold his own against these experts.
