Ethnocentrism

vs.
Cultural Relativism
What is Ethnocentrism?
When other people use their
own culture to judge another,
usually in a negative
perspectives.
The term was coined by
William Sumner
Ethnocentrism leads us to make false
assumptions about cultural
differences.

We are ethnocentric when we use our

cultural norms to make
generalizations about other people’s
cultures and customs.
While societies have the tendency to
display or manifest certain amount of
ethnocentrism, cultural sensitivity is also
expected especially if one is a visitor.

Nonsensitivity to cultural practices of

other groups may be misinterpreted and
this may lead to conflict with others or
maybe seen by others as a rude behavior
especially when articulated or expressed
in front of others.
In giving our judgments of another
culture, we have to:
Study the cultural context in which the
action occurs

Determine the circumstances of place,

time and condition surrounding it

Look into the reasoning behind any

cultural element
 Similar to
Ethnocentrism is
Xenophobia and
Xenocentrism
XENOPHOBIA
The fear and hostility
towards foreigners and their
culture.

Example: Jewish Holocaust

XENOCENTRISM
Perceiving other groups
societies or cultures as
superior to your own.

Example: “Japanese cars are the

only reliable cars out there.”
What is Cultural Relativism?
Principle that an individual
human’s beliefs and activities
should be understood by others
in terms of that individual’s own
culture.
The term was coined by Franz
Boas
NO CULTURE IS
SUPERIOR TO
ANY OTHER
CULTURE
Kinds of Cultural Relativism
Moral Relativism- ethics depends on
a social construct
Situational Relativism-right or wrong
is based in the particular situation

Cognitive Relativism- truth itself has

no objective standard
Cultural relativists claim the following:
Different societies have different moral
codes.
The moral code of a society determines
what is right or wrong within the society.
There are no moral truths that hold for
all people at all times.
The moral code of our own society has
no special status; it is but one among
many.
It is arrogant for us to judge other
cultures. We should always be tolerant of
them.
RESPECT EACH
OTHER’S
DIFFERENCES.