Department History and politics

Subject Sociology

Assignment Ethnocentrism, Xenocentrism,

cultural relativism

Group members Roll no Semester

Khayest Aman 5th

Samana F22 1088 6th

Alina Naseen F22 1090 6th

Ethnocentrism, Xenocentrism and

Cultural Relativism:
Ethnocentrism:
Definition:

 The concept of ethnocentrism is put forward by American sociologist William

Graham Sumner in 1906.
“Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own race, ethnic or cultural group is the
most important or that some or all aspects of its culture are superior to those of
other groups. ”
OR
“Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency of individuals or groups to judge other
cultures based on the standards and values of their own culture. ”
 Some people simply call it cultural ignorance.

Explanation:
Ethnocentrism often leads to incorrect assumptions about others’ behavior based on
your own norms, values, and beliefs. In extreme cases, a group of individuals may see
another culture as wrong or immoral and because of this may try to convert, sometimes
forcibly, the group to their own ways of living. War and genocide could be the
devastating result if a group is unwilling to change their ways of living or cultural
practices.

Ethnocentrism may not, in some circumstances, be avoidable. We often have

involuntary reactions toward another person or culture’s practices or beliefs but these
reactions do not have to result in horrible events such as genocide or war. In order to
avoid conflict over culture practices and beliefs, we must all try to be more culturally
relative.

Examples:
1. Language bias, where individuals perceive their native language as superior to
others. This can lead to the dismissal or devaluation of other languages, making it
challenging for intercultural communication and understanding.

2. Cultural Norms: Ethnocentric individuals may judge and criticize the cultural
norms and practices of other societies based on their own standards. For example,
considering a particular cuisine, traditional clothing, or social etiquette as strange or
inferior because it differs from their own cultural practices.

3. Judge religion: Ethnocentric people Judge religious rituals of other cultures e.g

Hindus oppose or criticize animal slaughter which is Muslim`s religious ritual.

Causes of Ethnocentrism:
Following are the causes of cultural Ethnocentrism

Cultural Upbringing and Socialization:

Ethnocentrism can be instilled during the socialization process, where individuals are
taught and internalize their own culture's norms, values, and beliefs as the "right" or
"superior" way. Family, community, and educational institutions play a significant role in
shaping ethnocentric attitudes and biases.

Lack of Exposure to Diversity:

Limited exposure to diverse cultures and experiences can contribute to ethnocentrism.
When individuals have little or no interaction with other cultures, they may rely on
stereotypes and generalizations, leading to a narrow understanding and appreciation of
cultural differences.

Fear of the Unknown:

Fear and uncertainty about the unfamiliar can contribute to ethnocentrism. When faced
with cultural differences, individuals may feel threatened, leading to a tendency to cling
to their own culture as a source of comfort and security.

Group Identity and Solidarity:

Ethnocentrism often arises from the desire to preserve group identity and solidarity.
Individuals may develop a strong sense of loyalty and attachment to their own cultural
or ethnic group, which can result in the exclusion or devaluation of other cultures.

Power Dynamics and Colonialism:

Historical power dynamics, colonialism, and imperialism have played a role in fostering
ethnocentrism. Dominant cultures or groups imposing their beliefs and values on
marginalized cultures can reinforce the idea of cultural superiority and perpetuate
ethnocentric attitudes.

Cultural Ignorance and Stereotyping:

Lack of knowledge, understanding, or exposure to other cultures can lead to
ethnocentrism. Stereotypes, misinformation, and a limited perspective of other cultures
can contribute to biases and judgments based on cultural differences.

Societal Norms and Media Influence: Societal norms and media portrayals can
shape ethnocentric attitudes. Media representations that reinforce stereotypes, promote
cultural superiority, or emphasize "us vs. them" narratives can influence individuals'
perceptions and attitudes towards other cultures.

Impact of Ethnocentrism on Society:

Ethnocentrism can have both positive and negative impacts on society

Positive Impact:

 Ethnocentrism can foster a sense of identity, pride, and unity within a cultural
group.
 It can help maintain cultural traditions, values, and heritage, which can be
essential for social cohesion.
 Ethnocentrism, when tempered with curiosity and openness, can lead to cultural
exchange and learning. By valuing one's own culture, individuals may become
more interested in understanding and appreciating other cultures, fostering
cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect.

Negative Impact:

 However, excessive ethnocentrism can lead to conflicts, misunderstandings, and

divisions between different cultures.
 It hinders intercultural understanding, communication, and cooperation, limiting
societal progress and inhibiting the appreciation of diverse perspectives.
 Ethnocentrism can lead to cultural insularity and ignorance, where individuals
isolate themselves from diverse cultural perspectives. This can hinder
intercultural understanding, limit opportunities for learning and growth, and
reinforce biases and stereotypes.

Xenocentrism:
Definition:
 The term Xenocentrism is coined by Robert G. Burnight and Donald P.Kent in
1952.
“A belief or thinking that other cultures or foreign cultures are superior to one`s
own culture”.
OR
“In this preference for product, styles or ideas of someone else`s culture rather
than of one`s own culture”.

Explanation:
 Xenocentrism is a concept that explores the tendency of individuals or societies
to place higher value, prestige, or importance on products, ideas, practices, or
cultural elements that originate from foreign cultures rather than their own.

It is the opposite of ethnocentrism, where ethnocentrism involves the belief that

one's own culture is superior to others, xenocentrism involves valuing and
considering other cultures as superior or more desirable. It implies a willingness
to criticize or devalue aspects of one's own culture in favor of what is perceived
as more exotic, modern, or advanced in other cultures.

Examples of Xenocentrism:
1. Fashion and Trends: Individuals who adopt and emulate fashion trends,
clothing styles, or aesthetics from foreign cultures while disregarding their own
cultural heritage.
2. Language Preference: Valuing and prioritizing the use of foreign languages
over one's native language, considering them more sophisticated or prestigious.
3. Cultural Practices: Holding foreign cultural practices, rituals, or traditions in
higher regard and actively participating in them while neglecting or devaluing
similar practices in one's own culture.
4. Education and Intellectual Ideas: Prioritizing academic or intellectual theories,
ideas, or knowledge from foreign scholars or institutions, while undermining local
or indigenous knowledge

Causes of Xenocentrism:
Cultural Perceptions:

Negative perceptions or experiences with one's own culture can contribute to

xenocentrism. If individuals perceive their own culture as lacking in certain aspects
or view it as inferior due to personal biases or dissatisfaction, they may develop a
preference for foreign cultures.

Influence of Media and Globalization:

Media plays a significant role in shaping perceptions and preferences. The portrayal
of foreign cultures as glamorous, modern, or superior in media can influence
individuals' attitudes and lead to the admiration and preference for those cultures
over their own.

Desire for Novelty and Exoticism:

The allure of novelty and the exotic can be a driving factor in xenocentrism. People
may be drawn to foreign cultures due to their perceived uniqueness, unfamiliarity, or
excitement, seeking experiences that are distinct from their own cultural
environment.

Socioeconomic Factors:

Economic disparities can contribute to xenocentrism. Individuals from economically

disadvantaged backgrounds may associate foreign cultures with affluence,
prosperity, or social status, leading to a preference for those cultures as aspirational
or desirable.

Education and Global Exposure:

Educational systems that emphasize the value of global perspectives and

international experiences may inadvertently foster xenocentrism. Exposure to
diverse cultures, international curricula, or exchange programs can shape
individuals' preferences and lead to a preference for foreign cultures.

Prevailing Cultural Trends:

Cultural trends and social influences can shape preferences and attitudes. If a
particular culture or cultural practices become popular or trendy, individuals may
develop a preference for those cultures as a result of societal influence.

Impact of Culture Xenocentrism:

Xenocentrism have both positive and negative impacts on society. Here are the
positive and negative impacts of xenocentrism:

Positive Impacts:

Cultural Exchange and Innovation:

Xenocentrism can lead to cultural exchange and the introduction of new ideas,
practices, and innovations from different cultures. Embracing foreign influences can
stimulate creativity, broaden perspectives, and foster cultural enrichment and
diversity within society.

Global Understanding and Cooperation:

Xenocentrism, when coupled with an open-minded attitude, can promote global
understanding and cooperation. Valuing and appreciating other cultures can
facilitate intercultural communication, empathy, and collaboration, leading to a more
interconnected and harmonious society.

Technological Advancement:
Embracing foreign technologies can drive technological advancement within a
society. Adopting innovative ideas and practices from different cultures can
contribute to progress in various fields, such as science, medicine, engineering, and
information technology.

Negative Impacts:

Loss of Cultural Identity:

Excessive xenocentrism can result in the loss or erosion of a society's own cultural
identity. When individuals prioritize foreign cultural influences over their own
traditions, values, and practices, it can lead to the neglect or marginalization of
indigenous or local cultural heritage.

Cultural Appropriation:
Xenocentrism can contribute to cultural appropriation, where elements of a culture
are borrowed or adopted without proper understanding or respect for their cultural
significance. This can lead to the commodification or misrepresentation of cultural
practices and artifacts, causing harm and disrespect to the cultures being
appropriated.

Neglect of Local Industries:

Over-reliance on foreign products and industries due to xenocentrism can negatively
impact local economies and industries. Disregarding or devaluing locally produced
goods and services in favor of foreign alternatives can lead to the decline of local
businesses and loss of jobs.

Cultural Relativism:

Definition: 
 The term Relativism is introduced by Franz Boaz in 20 th century who was a
German - American anthropologist. He gave this concept to counter the
ethnocentrism which was at peak at that time.

“The practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through
the lens of one`s own culture”.

Explanation:
Cultural relativism recognizes that different cultures have diverse perspectives on
morality, ethics, and social norms. It emphasizes the importance of understanding
cultural differences and avoiding over judgments and criticism. Cultural relativism
promotes tolerance, acceptance, and an open-minded approach to diverse cultural
practices and beliefs.
 According to Cultural relativism there is nothing wrong and right. In other words, 'right'
and 'wrong' are culture-specific and what is considered moral in one society may be
considered immoral in another. Therefore, any cultural practice should be evaluated and
understood within its own cultural context, rather than judged against the criteria of
another culture.

Cultural relativism doesn't mean that all practices in all cultures are equally acceptable
or that we can't criticize any cultural practices. It just encourages understanding that
cultural norms and values are influenced by a specific cultural context and should be
understood as such.

Examples:
1. Attitudes towards time:

In Western cultures, punctuality is highly valued, and being on time is

considered respectful. However, in some cultures, a more flexible
approach to time is common, and being late may not be viewed as
negatively.

2. Attitudes towards modesty:

Different cultures have varying standards of modesty in terms of clothing

and behavior. For instance, some cultures may consider certain forms of
dress to be modest, while others may view the same clothing as immodest
or inappropriate.

3. Attitudes towards food:

Food preferences and taboos can vary widely across cultures. Some
cultures consider certain foods to be delicacies, while others may find
them repulsive. For example, in some cultures, consuming insects is a
common practice, whereas it is considered taboo in others.

Types:
Cultural relativism can be categorized into two main types:

Absolute cultural relativism:

This type of cultural relativism describes whatever activities are practiced with in
culture, no matter how weird and dangerous they appear to be, should not be
questioned by other cultures.
Critical cultural relativism:
Normative cultural relativism refers to ask questions about cultural practices and
why they are practiced. It seeks answer about the cultural practices in line who is
accepting them and why they are doing so.

Negative and positive points

Cultural relativism has both positive and negative impacts:

Positive points:
Respect for cultural diversity: Cultural relativism encourages individuals and societies
to appreciate and respect the diversity of human cultures worldwide.

Fostering tolerance and understanding: By promoting an open-minded and non-

judgmental attitude, cultural relativism can help reduce conflicts and promote peaceful
coexistence among different cultures.

Negative points:

Human rights concerns: Critics argue that cultural relativism can be problematic when
cultural practices violate fundamental human rights, such as gender inequality,
discrimination, or harmful traditional practices.

Moral relativism dilemma: The idea that all cultural beliefs and practices are equally
valid can lead to a moral relativism dilemma, where it becomes challenging to condemn
or address morally objectionable practices in certain cultures.

Culture relativism and ethnocentrism:

Cultural relativism is essentially the antidote to ethnocentrism. It asserts that no culture
is superior to another and that every culture should be evaluated and understood on its
own terms.
In other words, it suggests that instead of judging other cultures through the lens of our
own culture (which is what ethnocentrism entails), we should aim to understand and
respect them for what they are, recognizing that our own cultural norms and values are
not the absolute or only 'right' ones.

Culture relativism and Xenocentrism:

Cultural relativism can also be applied to xenocentrism. When applied, it proposes that
the preference for another culture (xenocentrism) is not necessarily 'wrong' or 'right' but
is a perspective that is influenced by various factors within one's own cultural and social
context. It might be a result of personal experiences, exposure, or certain sociocultural
factors.