The Importance of Cultural Relativism in Attaining Cultural Understanding (VOCABULARY Flashcards)

VOCABULARY flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the module on cultural relativism, ethnocentrism, and cultural understanding.

Culture

The complex whole that includes beliefs, practices, values, attitudes, laws, norms, artifacts, symbols, knowledge, and other learned elements shared by members of a society.

Cultural Relativism

The principle that one should understand another culture's beliefs and practices within the context of that culture rather than by one's own standards; right and wrong are culture-specific.

Ethnocentrism

Judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture; viewing one's own group as the center of everything.

Sumner’s Ethnocentrism

William G. Sumner’s description of ethnocentrism as the view that one’s own group is the center of everything, often leading to pride, perceived superiority, and contempt of outsiders.

Moral Code (culture-specific)

The set of beliefs about right and wrong that governs behavior within a given culture; culturally defined and varies across cultures.

Lip Plate (Suri)

A traditional beauty practice among groups like the Suri of Ethiopia, where lip plates are worn; illustrates culture-specific beauty standards.

Neck Rings (Kayan)

Traditional brass coil neck rings worn by the Kayan people; another example of culture-specific beauty or adornment practices.

Culture Shock

The discomfort or disorientation experienced when encountering a culture different from one’s own.

Open-mindedness in Intercultural Understanding

A willingness to understand and evaluate other cultures on their own terms without immediate judgment.

Universal Morality

The idea that there exists one universal standard of morality; cultural relativism argues that morality is culture-specific and no single universal standard exists.

Open-minded vs Ethnocentric View

Open-mindedness seeks understanding within another culture; ethnocentrism judges that culture by one’s own standards.

Discrimination (Cultural/Racial)

Unfair or prejudicial treatment of people based on culture or race, often linked to ethnocentric attitudes.