REFLECTION ON ETHNOCENTRISM AND CULTURAL RELATIVISM|Course hero helper

Posted: March 6th, 2023

Ethnocentrism leads to prejudice and is the belief that one’s own race, nation, or culture is superior to all others. In contrast, examine how cultural relativism, (the judging of a culture by the standards of others) can affect society by influencing prejudice and discrimination.

RESOURCES

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WEEKLY RESOURCES

BY DAY 3

Post 200–250 words providing examples of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism in your immediate environment and your experiences, addressing the following:

• How does ethnocentrism lead to prejudice and discrimination?
• Provide an example from your personal life or your observation of the world around you.
• Identify the aspects of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism in your example.
• How can ethnocentrism be avoided to create a culturally sensitive environment?

SOLUTION

Cultural relativism is the idea that all cultures have their own unique values, beliefs, and practices that should be understood and evaluated in the context of that culture, rather than judged by the standards of another culture. While cultural relativism can promote understanding and respect for diverse cultures, it can also have negative consequences when taken to an extreme. One potential issue with cultural relativism is that it can lead to moral relativism, which is the idea that there are no objective moral standards that apply universally to all cultures. This can make it difficult to address issues such as human rights violations, discrimination, and other forms of injustice that occur within a particular culture. If all cultural practices are seen as equally valid, then there is no basis for condemning harmful practices or advocating for change.