similarities of ethnocentrism and xenocentrismabigail johnson nantucket home

Eventually, as people learn more about a culture, they recover from culture shock. Anthropologist Ken Barger (1971) discovered this when he conducted a participatory observation in an Inuit community in the Canadian Arctic. In psychological terms, xenocentrism is considered a type of deviant behavior because it sways from the norms of society. 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. Such attitudes are an example ofethnocentrism, or evaluating and judging another culture based on how it compares to ones own cultural norms. There was new food to digest, new daily schedules to follow, and new rules of etiquette to learn. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Reading: Conflict Perspective on Media and Technology, 242. The present world consists of a variety of unique cultures. 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. Xenocentrism is a culturally-based tendency to value other cultures more highly than one's own, which can materialize in a variety of different ways. 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. We also acknowledge previous National Science Foundation support under grant numbers 1246120, 1525057, and 1413739. Where he is from, unless they are romantically involved, men do not kiss one another. But ethnocentrism can lead to disdain or dislike for other cultures and could cause misunderstanding and conflict. 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. 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. For example, while all cultures have language, analysis of particular language structures and conversational etiquette reveal tremendous differences. Europes colonial expansion, begun in the sixteenth century, was often accompanied by a severe cultural imperialism. Ethnocentrism noun belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group. After two weeks in Spain, Caitlin had developed a bit more compassion and understanding for what those people had gone through. Why It Matters: Social Movements, Media, and Technology, 225. He knew hed never hold his own against these experts. For example, Americans tend to say that people from England drive on the wrong side of the road, rather than on the other side. 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. 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? When Rodneys host brother introduces himself and kisses Rodney on both cheeks, Rodney pulls back in surprise. Why It Matters: Religion and Education, 147. The way individuals perceive other cultural practices can be broadly segregated into two types - cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Social Stratification, 102. 1. Youll have more success on the Self-Check, if youve completed the three Readings in this section. Xenocentrism puts others before one's own nation, which means that the health and stability of one's own is thought of as less important. 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. Do you feel that feelings of ethnocentricity or xenocentricity are more prevalent in U.S. culture? However, indiscriminately embracing everything about a new culture is not always possible. Some people will simply call it cultural ignorance. Reading: Marriage and Courtship Patterns, 138. 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 a particular region. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Social Movements, 231. Citing Paraphrases and Summaries (APA), 4. ethnocentrism: the practice of evaluating another culture according to the standards of one's own culture material culture: the objects or belongings of a group of people nonmaterial culture: the ideas, attitudes, and beliefs of a society xenocentrism: a belief that another culture is superior to one's own [/hidden-answer] Sure enough, he finished last, to his mortification. Her imposing father kept his distance. 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: Demography and Population Growth, 219. Perhaps the Chicago traveler was initially captivated by Montanas quiet beauty and the Chinese student was originally excited to see a U.S.-style classroom firsthand. (Photo courtesy of OledSidorenko/flickr). Reading: Theories of Self-Development, 61. Ethnicity, which relates to culturally . He knew hed never hold his own against these experts. During her summer vacation, Caitlin flew from Chicago to Madrid to visit Maria, the exchange student shed befriended the previous semester. Why do you believe this? Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Economics, 206. Almost everyone is a little bit ethnocentric. 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. . Reading: Recent Economic Conditions in the United States, 211. Perhaps the greatest challenge for sociologists studying different cultures is the matter of keeping a perspective. In some Middle Eastern cultures, it is common to stand close to others in conversation. Why do you believe this? I disagree." The Dangerous Intersection of Christian Nationalism and Ethnocentrism. But bit by bit, they became stressed by interacting with people from a different culture who spoke another language and used different regional expressions. Ethnocentrism, as sociologist William Graham Sumner (1906) described the term, involves a belief or attitude that ones own culture is better than all others. 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. And an appreciation for another culture shouldnt preclude individuals from studying it with a critical eye. But ethnocentrism can lead to disdain or dislike for other cultures and could cause misunderstanding and conflict. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Synonyms for ethnocentricity in Free Thesaurus. Exciting as it was, she felt isolated and disconnected. In some Middle Eastern cultures, it is common to stand close to others in conversation. Living with this constant stress can make people feel incompetent and insecure. Caitlins shock was minor compared to that of her friends Dayar and Mahlika, a Turkish couple living in married student housing on campus. 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. It helps to remember that culture is learned. Copyright Opinion Front & Buzzle.com, Inc. Reading: Theoretical Perspectives on Aging, 184. Shed studied Spanish in school for yearswhy hadnt it prepared her for this? For example, while all cultures have language, analysis of particular language structures and conversational etiquette reveal tremendous differences. Sanai had been forced to flee war-torn Bosnia with her family when she was fifteen. These views involve examining a culture and all its aspects and evaluating them. Do you feel that feelings of ethnocentricity or xenocentricity are more prevalent in U.S. culture? Cultural relativismis the practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of ones own culture. Shed stepped out of her comfort zone. Reading: Symbolic Interactionist Theory, 20. Rodney and Elise are U.S. students studying abroad in Italy. Reading: Introduction to Sociological Research, 29. Xenocentrismis the opposite of ethnocentrism, and refers to the belief that another culture is superior to ones own. These distinctions and subjective comparisons impart a cultural identity to each ethnicity. Ethnocentric individuals believe they're better than other individuals for reasons based solely on their heritage. Another example would be the deforestation of the Amazon Basin as indigenous cultures lose land to timber corporations.

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