Notes For UCSP - Ethnocentrism

We all belong to one specie.
You may have noticed that we have different physical

characteristics, behavioral patterns, languages, cultural patterns and environmental conditions.
Human are social being.
Since the dawn of Homo sapiens around 250,000 years ago, people formed groups or
communities in order to survive. Living together as one in one community, people had formed
common habits and behaviors from hunting techniques to family fostering.
As each human group experiences different environmental conditions, cultural variations are
established.
Comparing the traditions practiced by Muslims that pork serve in their meals are forbidden
because it says in their Holy Quran while for Christian community, pork is a part of their meal.
Also, Japanese way of eating soup. Vs. in PH.
Taking a bath. Tabo vs. shower
Pupu – tissue vs. water
As people travel farther, moving from different regions to entirely different parts of world,
certain aspects of culture becomes dramatically unfamiliar. What happened when we encounter
different cultures? As we interact with different cultures other than our own, we become aware
of the differences or diversity and commonalities between our own and the others’ world.
Note: We must remember that cultural variation or diversity do not only occur between people’s
culture coming from different countries, but also between people with different practices within
the same country.
Ex. Po and Opo and kissing the hand
One example of cultural universal is the family unit. Every human group recognizes family as
the building blocks of the society that regulates sexual reproduction and care of their children.
Another example of cultural universal is the language and the concept of giving names to
member of the family.
1. Subculture
Example - Cockfighting is a blood sport in which two roosters specifically bred for aggression
are placed beak to beak in a small ring and encouraged to fight to the death.
Atheist
2. Counter culture
Example
Paramilitary is a semi-militarized force whose organizational structure, tactics, trainings, and

functions are similar to professional military and not included as a parts of formal armed forces
like NPA and ISIS groups.
3. High Culture
Example: watching opera, classical music and live theater
Visiting museum
Charity ball
Cruise
Philantrophy
4. Popular culture
K-POP and P-POP

Online shopping every shoppee promo
Watching soap opera movies and rock concerts
Ethnocentrism
Many cultures around the world believe that their beliefs, practices are in fact superior to that of
others. This mentality sometime leads to discrimination and ostracism.
A person who exhibits ethnocentrism feels that his or her culture is correct and appropriate as
compared to other cultures thus an ethnocentric attitude can be a problem in understanding each
other culture and foster tensions, misunderstanding and conflicts between societies.
Black people
American Karen
Nazi
Culture Shock
Culture Shock is the feeling of disoriented, uncertain, out of place or even fearful when
immersed in an unfamiliar culture.
As people experience unanticipated differences from their own culture, their excitement gives
way to discomfort and doubts how to behave appropriately in the new situation. However, while
people learn more about the culture, eventually they will recover from culture shock.
Culture shocks may appear because people aren’t always expecting cultural differences. People
evaluates the particular culture based on their own culture which often give problems and bias
due to his or her own perspective that his or her culture is the efficient and appropriate for the
environment.
Give us examples
1. Probinsyano on high buildings, trains, loud environment

2. Japan – No noise in public transpo
3. Singapore – bawal dumura
4. Arab country – bawal magpicture and women are not allowed to show skin
When faced with plurality of culture, one must adapt the conceptual tool of cultural relativism.
Cultural Relativism is the practice by assessing a culture by its own standards rather that viewing
it through the lens of one’s own culture. It is the practice that one must understood in the context
of their locality.
Practicing cultural relativism requires an open mind and a willingness to consider, and even
adapt to, new values and norms. Using the lens of cultural relativism, member of the society can
be more tolerant towards different attitudes and practices of others’ culture.
It also promotes the idea that a society has to be viewed from inside so that the inner aspects can
be explained.
Ferraro and Andretta as mentioned by Custodio advocate that cultural relativism is more
culturally relative approach in understanding human group. They said that one can build
emotional resilience by understanding one’s culture by not necessarily mean to offend them but
be guided by their own cultural norms.
Examples
1. Pagkakamay
2. Chopsticks
3. Wearning traditional dresses
4. Trying local food
5. Speaking or learning the language
6. Visiting museums
Advantages of Cultural Relativism:
1. It promotes cooperation. Embracing the differences of the different society can create
cooperation because it allows a stronger bond with one another in the society.
2. Respect and Equality is encouraged. People from different culture with different ideas that
share their own perspectives and experiences in the society can promote respect and equality.
3. It preserves human cultures. Respect with the diverse set of traditions, ideas and practices
would help preserve the culture.
4. Cultural relativism creates a society without judgement. Worrying and practicing your own
culture prevent disagreement & judgement in the society.

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We all belong to one specie.

You may have noticed that we have different physical

Also, Japanese way of eating soup. Vs. in PH.

Taking a bath. Tabo vs. shower

Pupu – tissue vs. water

Ex. Po and Opo and kissing the hand

Paramilitary is a semi-militarized force whose organizational structure, tactics, trainings, and

Example: watching opera, classical music and live theater

K-POP and P-POP

1. Probinsyano on high buildings, trains, loud environment

Advantages of Cultural Relativism:

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