The
following is written by students, Maya Collier & Tori Spencer.
This post
highlights their work that they completed as part of their requirements
in SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology. Students were given the
opportunity to explore a different culture through two lenses: cultural
relativism and ethnocentrism, and through this exercise learn about
themselves and the other culture. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work
featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here. Please show your
appreciation for her work through the comments.
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| Turkish coffee is typically served hot and drank on hot days. |
By: Maya Collier
In life, an individual will
oftentimes judge how a person lives their life because they are not accustomed
to the way individuals do something. Being in Michael's situation there are
many ways an individual could have come across this situation. We all have our
different cultures whether we realize it or not. When learning about someone's
culture we react in two different ways we either judge or do not judge. In
anthropology, two terms are explored to help define the reactions we come
across; ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. The goal of this paper is to
explain how cultural relativism differs from ethnocentrism.
We do not hear cultural
relativism and ethnocentrism in our everyday vocabulary. Ethnocentrism is “the assumption that one's
way of doing things is correct while dismissing other people's practices or
views as wrong or ignorant” (Welsch et al. 11). Cultural relativism is “the
moral and intellectual principle that one should withhold judgment about
seemingly strange or exotic beliefs and practices” (Welsch et al. 12).
During Michael and Bao's
interaction, Michael assumed that because it was a hot day Bao should have
ordered an iced coffee, thereby acting in an ethnocentric manner. In American
culture, we typically look for things to help cool us down, such as ice cream,
icy drinks, and cold smoothies. For Bao it was much different; traditionally
where Bao is from the heat is not as humid so he thinks to get a hot drink it
will make him sweat allowing his body to cool down. Instead of Michael understanding
that Bao's culture was different and taking the time to understand why Bao did
not get an iced coffee on a hot day he thought Bao's idea was insane. It is
oftentimes hard for people to grasp the ideas of other individuals’ cultures
due to how accustomed they are to their values and beliefs.
During the interaction, if
Michael acted in cultural relativism rather than ethnocentric manner Bao would
not have been confused and had to justify his choices. Instead of suggesting
that Bao should buy an iced coffee, Michael could have shown cultural
relativism by asking more about Bao's culture without holding any form of
judgment. The whole idea of cultural relativism is keeping an open mind about
the different cultures around you. Practicing cultural relativism allows an individual
to produce a value-free understanding and interpretations (Welsch et al. 12).
I was raised in a military
environment, along with having many cultural backgrounds in my family. I would
like to think of myself as a culturally relativistic thinker as opposed to an
ethnocentric thinker. If I was Michel, I would have reacted the same way at
first, thinking Bao should get something cold to help him cool off. After
remembering where Bao is from and knowing that he probably does not do the same
things as me I would begin to ask many questions. I would never think of Bao as
insane or judge him for how he does think.
When I attended Crowder College,
I oftentimes gave tours to people all around the world. I met people from the
United Kingdom, India, Africa, China, and the Caribbean. During a tour I gave
one day the young man asked me, why is everyone so nice here. Naturally, I was
confused and tried to grasp an understanding of what he meant, he began to
explain to me people in his country have to do things for themselves and nobody
helps others as much as they do in America. It made me remember that everyone
has different cultures and upbringings around the world. I feel my approach was
learning more toward cultural relativism rather than ethnocentrism.
Works Cited
Welsch,
Robert L., et al. Cultural Anthropology: Asking Questions about Humanity.
Oxford University Press, 2018.
*****************************************************************************
By: Tori Spencer
In
chapter one of this course, we studied two different concepts for approaching
other cultures. One is called ethnocentrism which is defined as “the assumption
that one’s own way of doing things is correct while dismissing other peoples’
practices or views as wrong or ignorant” and can lead to bigotry and
intolerance (Welsh, Vivianco, & Fuentes, 2017). This describes the base
tendency for most people who have a natural bias that favors their own actions
and behaviors. The problem with this notion is that if unchecked, we risk
offending other cultures, retain narrow perspectives and remain culturally
incompetent. In contrast, cultural relativism seeks a much less abrasive
communication techniques. This is defined as the moral and intellectual
principle that one should withhold judgment about seemingly strange or exotic
beliefs and practices (Welsh, Vivianco, & Fuentes, 2017). Cultural
relativism is opposite ethnocentrism as it leads to cultural competence instead
of intolerance. Cultural competence is defined as “...the knowledge and
interpersonal skills to understand, appreciate and work with individuals and
families from cultures other than one’s own...” (Lum, 2003). It is easy to see
how cultural relativism is preferred in many social situations over ethnocentrism,
and to further support this point, I will analyze the Michael/Bao scenario in
order to provide a more complete description of these two dynamics.
The
ethnocentric approach to the passage assumes understanding before it is
actually established. Michael’s first few sentences contains several such
instances. First, there are better ways to say “It’s really hot out here”
without referring to Hades, which is not a universal phrase. Some cultures may
not discuss Hades in this context and may find it inappropriate. His second
sentence is worded in an exaggerated and somewhat accusatory manner. Again,
there is another way to ask about Bao’s behavior. Next, Michael corrects Bao by
suggesting that he get an iced coffee instead of his choice. The ethnocentric perspective
finds it appropriate to suggest that the other person choose the same things
without question.
In
contrast, the cultural relativist approach would prompt the response that Bao
gives about his Turkish customs. If Michael was applying cultural relativism,
he would have withheld the implications that Bao was wrong to choose what he
did and he would not have suggested something else without hearing Bao speak
first. Also, I notice that Bao was rather eager to share his perspective with
Michael even after the uncomfortable exchange. I feel that simply asking Bao
why he drinks a hot drink on a hot day would suffice to have prompted him to
share his culture. This approach seeks to avoid the confusion in Bao who
doesn’t understand what Michael is getting at.
I
personally prefer the relativistic method. I am a minority that has not always
fit into my own culture. I am not immune to ethnocentrism but as a person who
grew up being judged even by others of my own culture, I learned at a young age
to reserve judgement against others because I did not want to be judged. I have
also learned that you do not really know someone just by looking at them. I
have been surprised several times by things that people say because I did not
expect it but again because I have been on the other side of that, I understand
how it feels to be underestimated or misjudged. These experiences lead me to be
especially careful to respect the way another person feels even if I don’t
agree.
Ethnocentrism
also tends to make outsiders feel ostracized, whether the topic in question is
something the person can control or not. For example, I spoke with someone at a
social event about a trip that I was offered and wanted to take to Los Angeles,
California, but I had to decline at the time. The person did not understand why
I could not go because her family could just pack up and take vacation when
they wanted. She expected that my mother, siblings and I could just take off
work together and leave with barely a week’s notice. It was clear that she
assumed that all families have that luxury which made for an awkward
conversation thereafter because she did not have the experiences that would
allow her to consider my position (e.g. having a job, classes and familial
responsibilities). It made conversations strained and eventually we lost touch
because I felt my lifestyle was always under question even though she was a
nice person outside of this particular peeve. ‘Why can’t you just do this? Why wouldn’t you guys just do it that way?’
She unknowingly spoke to me as if I was purposefully adding complications to my
life, and at the time I did not confront her because I did not want to end up
in a conversation about my family’s finances. I am proud of my family, but it
was just an uncomfortable line of questioning, made me defensive and as if she
was accusing me of wrongdoing. I know she did not mean it this way, still, I
did not want to be in a situation where I had to teach her about other
cultures.
In
short, personal experience has taught me that ethnocentrism brings a much more
restrictive conversation than cultural relativism which facilitates cultural
competence. On the other extreme, I have been able to have conversations with a
wide variety of individuals and occupations; I can carry conversations with
doctors and health care professionals, researchers and students at conferences,
international and local students at my university. The approaches of culturally
relativistic approach encourages me to inquire about other cultures and
people’s lives, which puts others at ease. Everyone remains open, honest and
eager to share. This leads to cultural competence of the individual, which I
personally define as cultural relativism combined with active involvement with
those unlike ourselves.
Works Cited:
Lum, D. (Ed.). (2003). Culturally
Competent Practice: A Framework for Understanding Diverse Groups and Justice
Issues (6). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole CENGAGE Learning
Welsh, R.E., Vivanco, L.A., & Fuentes, A. (Eds.). (2017). Anthropology: Asking Questions About Human
Origins, Diversity, and Culture (11-12). New York, NY: Oxford University
Press.
