ETHNOCENTRISM

 The word ethno comes the Greeks and it refers to a people, nation, or
cultural grouping. Centric, on the other hand, comes from Latin and refers
to the “center”.
 The term ethnocentrism then refers to the tendency of each society to
place its own culture patterns at the center of things. Ethnocentrism is the
practice of comparing other cultural practices with those one’s own and
automatically finding those other cultural practices to be inferior. In other
words, it is the act of evaluating other cultures according to
preconceptions originating in the other standards and customs of one’s
own culture.
 Ethnocentrism a term coined by William graham summer. It is the belief that
your native culture is the most natural or superior way of understanding the
world. This leads to making incorrect assumptions about others behavior
based on your own norms, values, and beliefs.
 This description of ethnocentrism suggests that the very process of what
makes culture enduring and durable also explains an equally recalcitrant
attitude in the (non) appreciation of the cultures of the other people.
 Ethnocentrism is a universal human reaction found in all knowns of societies,
in all groups, and in practically all individuals.
 Ethno centrism is one of the features of culture and like the rest of culture, it
need to be evaluated in term of its contribution to the maintenance of
social order in the promotion of social change.
 FUNCTIONS OF ETHNOCENTRISM
 The functions of ethnocentrism in maintaining order are more apparent
than those which promote social change.
1. Ethnocentrism encourages the solidarity of a group.
2. Ethnocentrism hinders the understanding or the cooperation between
groups. Extreme ethnocentrism is likely to promote conflict, as the records
of past wars and religious and racial conflicts reveal.
3. Conflict of course often leads to social change.
 When do we become ethnocentrism and what is our way?
1. When you judge the behavior and belief of people who are
different from you.
Way out: To stop ethnocentric behavior, you must stop judging others
who are different from you.
2. When you believe that there are primitive cultures, especially if their
way of life is different from yours.
Way out: Ethnocentrism is taught. You have to unlearn that your
culture is superior and all other cultures are inferior.
3. When you believe that some cultures are backward if they lack the
technology and consumerism of your own culture.
Way out: Remember that there are no primitive or backward cultures.
All cultures provide their member with the means for meeting all human
needs.
CULTURAL RELATIVISM
 Cultural relativism is the idea that all norms, beliefs, and values are
dependent on their cultural context and should be treated as such . A key
component of cultural of relativism is the concept that nobody, not even
researchers, comes from a neutral position.
 In a way, culture relatively is a belief that maintains it does not matter
whether cultures are either equal or different because equality and
similarity do not necessarily translate to real or imagined
inferiority/superiority of cultures out there. As an attitude, cultural relativism
promotes greater appreciation of the cultures one encountered along the
way. As behavior, cultural relativism is a good way to rehearse the norms
and values of society – a requirement that one must subscribe to regardless
of his/her cultural origin.
 Cultural relativism is also a research method. This is a method whereby
different societies or cultures are analyzed objectivity without using the
values of one culture to judge the worth of another.
 Cultural relativism means that the function and meaning of a trait are
relative to its cultural setting. A trait is neither good nor bad in itself. It is
good or bad only with reference to the culture in which it is to function.
 The concept of cultural relativism does not mean that all customs are
equally valuable, nor does it imply that no customs are harmful. The central
point in cultural relativism is that in a particular cultural setting certain traits
are wrong because they would clash painfully with parts of that culture.
 Appreciation of other cultures may come about for two complementary
reasons:
1. Acquisition of sufficient knowledge about the culture in question.
2. Direct exposure to other cultures.
in both cases, individuals personally come in contact with the people
representing another culture and they see the performance of a different set
of practices.
XENOCENTRISM AND XENOPHOBIA

 Xenocentrism refers to a preference for the foreign. It is characterized by a

strong belief that one’s own products, styles, or ideas are inferior to those
which originate elsewhere. One clear indication of the existence of
xenocentrism is our preference for imported good.
 Xenophobia, on the other hand, is the fear of what is perceived as foreign
or strange. Xenophobia can be seen in the relations and perceptions of an
in-group toward an out group.
CULTURE AS HERITAGE

 Cultures have tangible(visible) and intangible (nonmaterial) component.

Tangible are those that are produced and created based on specific and
practical purposes and aesthetic values. Cultural artifacts both tangible
and intangible may become “heritage objects” by their sheer age and
association with momentous historical events and noteworthy personalities.
 The typical heritage artifacts are site and objects (national flags), while
typical intangible heritage may be associated with events. Intangible
heritage may include our national anthem and literary creations such as
music, dances, and other literary genre unique to the Philippines.
 Preservation of cultural heritage is tantamount to protecting them from
external threats such as destruction (symbolic and physical),mutilation (In
part or in its entirely ),and desecration through frivolous use/representation.