VIEWS ON CULTURE

TERM DEFINITION EXAMPLES

Ethnocentrism is the evaluation of other
cultures based on one's own culture's
measuring and dominance. Ethnocentrism is a In the United States, it’s most likely
belief that culture is good, normal, right and filled with coffee, not Earl Grey tea, a
ETHNOCENTRISM
superior to others that are inferior, wrong, favorite in England, or Yak Butter tea, a
abnormal and bad. Criticizing other beliefs and staple in Tibet.
culture based from their own standards is
observed.
From the perspective of the United
The tendency to value goods and culture or
States, German beer and French wine
XENOCENTRISM even ideas from a country other than one’s
are by default better than anything
own as better.
made locally.
Cultural relativism refers to not judging a
While it might seem strange to eat fish
culture to own standards of what is right or
soup or stewed vegetables for breakfast
CULTURAL RELATIVISM wrong, strange or normal. Instead, trying to
in the U.S., in other places, this is
understand cultural practices of other groups
perfectly normal.
in its own cultural context.
Multiculturalism describes the existence,
acceptance, or promotion of multiple cultural The opening of “China Town”, “Little
MULTICULTURALISM traditions within a single jurisdiction, usually India”, and other cultural diverse
considered in terms of the culture associated places in the Philippines.
with an ethnic group.
Cultural sensitivity is being aware that cultural People who approach others with
differences and similarities between people genuine interest and curiosity about
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
exist without assigning them a value – positive how they experience the same
or negative, better or worse, right or wrong. situations.