XENOCENTRISM & XENOPHOBIA

TRUE OR FALSE
1. It is a habit of each group to take for granted the
superiority of its culture.
2. Cultural relativism does not mean that all customs are
equally valuable, nor does it imply that no customs are
harmful.
3. Equality and similarity do not necessarily translate to
real or imagined inferiority/superiority of cultures out
there.
4. As an attitude, ethnocentrism promotes greater
appreciation of the cultures that one encounters along
the way.
5. Ethnocentrism is a sense of value and community
among people who share a cultural tradition.
6. As a behavior, cultural relativism is a good way
to rehearse the norms and values of society.
7. People everywhere think that their own
expectations, opinions and customs are right,
true, proper, natural and moral.
8. Cultural relativism is a research method as well.
9. Ethnocentrism hinders the understanding or
cooperation between groups.
10. Ethnocentrism encourages the solidarity of a
group.
1. When Karlo visited a secluded area in Mindanao,
he was surprised to witness animal sacrifices of
the natives. He, however, saw and analyzed the
ritual as unique to their culture and was done to
appease their god. What was manifested through
the act of Karlo?

a. xenocentrism b. bias c. ethnocentrism

d. cultural relativism
2.) Shane tells her classmate that her religious
beliefs are correct while she discredits the
validity of her classmate’s religious beliefs. What
is shown through Shane's claims?

a. xenocentrism b. bias c.
ethnocentrism d. cultural relativism
3.) In what statement is ethnocentrism manifested?

a. Aljin, who is a Muslim, keeps silent whenever her

Christian classmates pray.
b. Lani listens attentively while a Hindu shares her
nation’s distinct beliefs.
c. Jamie refuses to accept a necklace as a gift from a
member of an indigenous group.
d. Luke marries a girl despite their cultural differences.
4.) What is the idea that one’s own culture is above
or superior to all others?

a. xenocentrism b. bias
c. ethnocentrism d. cultural relativism
5.) In what statement is cultural relativism manifested?

a. Angela observed and respected a ritual of an

indigenous group that she visited.
b. Tony considers the traditional food of his tribe the best.
c. Jena shows unfriendly attitude towards her Aeta
classmates.
d. Mia joins her friend in an indigenous group community
but wishes to leave after seeing the people who look very
traditional.
ANSWER

1.
XENOCENTRISM – refers to a preference for the
foreign. It is the exact opposite of ethnocentrism
which is characterized by a strong belief that
one’s own products, styles, or ideas are inferior to
those which originate elsewhere.
- for xenocentric individuals, the exotic has a
special charm which the familiar ca never
achieve. It is based on the glamour of the strange
and faraway and the prestige of distant centers.
- example of this is our clear preference for
imported goods. Filipinos seem happy to pay
more for imported goods on the assumption that
anything foreign or from abroad is better.
XENOPHOBIA - is the fear of what is perceived
as foreign or strange.
- it may include the fear of losing identity,
suspicion of the other group’s activities,
aggression and the desire to eliminate the
presence of the other group to secure a
presumed purity.
 CULTURE AS HERITAGE

COMPONENTS OF CULTURES
A.) TANGIBLE (visible) – are those that are
produced and created based on specific and
practical purposes and aesthetic values, usually
sites and objects(national flag)
B.) INTANGIBLE (nonmaterial) – associated with
events (national anthem, music, dances, and other
literary genre unique to the Philippines.
PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
 Protecting from external threats such as:
destruction (symbolic and physical) mutilation
(in part or in its entirely) desecration through
frivolous use/representation.
 THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE
 Cultural heritage is not just a set of cultural objects or traditions
from the past. It is also the result of a selection process: a process
of memory and oblivion that characterizes every human society
constantly engaged in choosing—for both cultural and political
reasons—what is worthy of being preserved for future generations
and what is not.
 All peoples make their contribution to the culture of the world.
That’s why it’s important to respect and safeguard all cultural
heritage, through national laws and international treaties. Illicit
trafficking of artifacts and cultural objects, pillaging of
archaeological sites, and destruction of historical buildings and
monuments cause irreparable damage to the cultural heritage of a
country. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization), founded in 1954, has adopted international
conventions on the protection of cultural heritage, to foster
intercultural understanding while stressing the importance of
international cooperation.