Module 3

Understanding
Culture, Society
S E N I O R H I G H S C H O O L D E PA R T M E N T
and Politics
Module 3:
Explain the
Importance of
Cultural Relativism
in Attaining Cultural
Understanding
Most Essential Learning
Competency
1. Explain the importance of

cultural relativism in
attaining cultural
understanding.
Objectives
1. describe cultural
relativism and ethnocentrism
2. cite actions that depict
ethnocentric attitude
3. explain how cultural
relativism mitigates
ethnocentrism
Luis Jorge De Barbuda published a map in 1584
showing China as the center of the world.
Guide Questions:
1. What can you say about the picture?
2. What does the map tell you about how the Chinese
see themselves in relation to the world?
WHAT IS ETHNOCENTRISM?
Ethnocentrism is the view

that one’s own cultural elements
such as norms, values, ideology,
customs, and traditions are
dominant and superior to others
(Brown, 2007).
William Graham
Sumner (1906) coined the
term ethnocentrism in his
work Folkways that served
as the foundation in social
analysis of every culture.
According to his definition,
ethnocentrism is a technical
name to see things in which
one’s own cultural identity is
the center of everything over
which all must be scaled, rated,
and referred to.
ETHNOCENTRISM
For instance, Pedro is an ethnocentric

from the Philippines; he considers others'
beliefs and practices to be savage or corrupt,
or he is often confused by other people's
cultures.
ETHNOCENTRIC PERSONS…
have a dominant cultural element which
they see as superior to other cultures;
view rigidly their own socio-economic,
political, and cultural elements;
see their cultural elements as normal and
acceptable to all;
ETHNOCENTRIC PERSONS…
consider in-group norms can be
universalized;
discard out-group ethnicities and cultures;
believe that other cultures are inferior; and
look at other culture’s elements as inferior
and unacceptable
ETHNOCENTRISM
It can be seen in Philippine society that
ethnocentrism is still emerging. The sense of
identity seems to be a contributing reason for this.
It goes deeper in our history that the mixture of
different cultures has created several identity marks
resulting in our diverse cultural heritage, both
tangible and intangible.
Chinof (2016) made some observations on
how to address this growing concern on Filipino
ethnocentrism.
1. Identify indigenous culture that truly reflects
Filipino identity.
2. Eliminate foreign influences and stick to “home-
grown" practices.
3. If we want to settle our identity, we must accept
the good part of the foreign influences that come to
us.
Although colonization by the Spaniards,
Americans, and Japanese has caused a shift
in several of our cultural, social, political, and
economic policies, it made the Philippines a
single nation. Thus, the Philippines today
stands strongly behind our acceptance of our
Filipino identity marked by our appreciation of
foreign influences.
CULTURAL RELATIVISM
Culture, just like a story, conveys different
meanings and it can vary among the people
who created it. It poses a challenge to the idea
that culture is the same for everyone. Also,
culture like a story has a life of its own. This
notion rejects the concept of cultural
universality.
CULTURAL RELATIVISM
 refers to an objective
analysis of one’s own
culture – seeing and
understanding of one’s
beliefs and traditions from
his/her own point of view.
CULTURAL RELATIVISM
 It also entails not to
judge the practices of
others based on your own
culture; hence, respecting
it in their own cultural
context.
CULTURAL RELATIVISM
 For example, you may
find eating insects as an
unacceptable and a
disgusting practice. However,
in Thailand, as well as parts
of Central America like
Mexico, it is considered a
delicacy.
According to James Rachels (2003), the following
claims have all been made by cultural relativists:
Each society has a diverse set of moral

conducts.
The rightfulness of an action within a society is
primarily determined by the moral standards of
that society.
There is no objective standard that can be used
as a basis of comparison among societies.
According to James Rachels (2003), the following
claims have all been made by cultural relativists:
 The moral code of our own society is just

part of a larger body of morality and ethical
standards.
 High tolerance among all culture must be
exercised always.
However, in his critical analysis, he also posited some
observations and consequences of accepting cultural
relativism.
1. It is difficult to determine if the custom of
other societies is morally inferior to others.
2. The decision whether actions are right or
wrong can be done just by consulting the
standards of our society.
However, in his critical analysis, he also posited some
observations and consequences of accepting cultural
relativism.
3. The idea of moral progress is always
questionable.
4. The objective criticism of one’s own culture
is shallow.
5. There will be no idea of moral progress
because of acceptance of other’s culture.
Ethnocentrism & Cultural Relativism
• It is a perception that arises from the fact that cultures differ and each culture
Ethnocentrism defines reality differently
• Judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one’s own culture
• The attempt to judge behavior according to its cultural context

Cultural Relativism • The principle that an individual person’s beliefs and activities should be
understood by others in terms of that individual’s own culture
Cultural Relativism Ethnocentrism
• Not judging a culture • Use of one's own
but trying to understand culture to judge others
it on its own terms in their society.
• Putting self in their • One's group is the
(other culture ) shoes / center "everything , and
eyes. all others are scaled and
rated with it"-William
Sumner
“The aspect of mutual respect and
understanding must be observed. This is
the first step towards a deeper
appreciation of one’s culture. Tolerance
and acceptance of cultural diversities
within the bounds of our own moral and
ethical standard can be a way to
understand individual differences.”
To understand better the main difference between
ethnocentrism and cultural relativism, an illustration
was provided.
Essay 20 pts
•How do you differentiate CULTURE,

SOCIETY AND POLITICS in your
own perspective?
PERFORMANCE TASK # 3
BACARRA NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School Department

Module 3

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Module 3

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Module 3

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Understanding

1. Explain the importance of

Ethnocentrism is the view

For instance, Pedro is an ethnocentric

Each society has a diverse set of moral

 The moral code of our own society is just

• The attempt to judge behavior according to its cultural context

•How do you differentiate CULTURE,

You might also like