WAM 3
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School
Lone Star College System, North Harris *
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Course
1301
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
Pages
2
Uploaded by DukeHornet3329
Learning objective for this WAM as academic discourse:
1.
Evidence: Provide examples of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism in your life.
2.
Causes: Explain causes and effects of your ethnocentric views. Explain cause and
effects of your cultural relativist views.
3.
Analysis: Apply the explanation of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism, as
described in the textbook and discussed in class, to the examples you have
identified from your own life.
This WAM addresses the Chapter Objective of “What Are the Characteristics of a Culture?” The
objective is important in your pursuit to begin thinking like a sociologist. By completing this
WAM you will gain a greater understanding of two important concepts focused in Chapter
3. These two concepts are
ethnocentrism
and
cultural relativism
.
Instructions: Read the following bullets and write your answer in order to receive full credit for
the WAM you will need to answer all of the bullets in a minimum of 300 words or more for the
entire submission of your WAM (not per bullet)partial credit is given for fewer words.
Discuss three examples of how you have acted or thought in an ethnocentric manner. -
There have been many times when I thought in an ethnocentric manner, especially when I
was younger. The main reason would be that I was very used to my ways of culture, and
when someone’s tradition was different, I would go into a culture shock. Later I would
compare how my culture and its tradition were better. One time that this occurred was at a
Quinceañera and it was different from what I was used to. I didn’t like it and I thought that
my tradition was better. Another time was on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, I
remember disliking the way the same people celebrated those occasions. I would always end
up comparing it to how my family would do it, and how my family’s tradition was better.
Discuss three examples of how you have acted or thought using cultural relativism. -
Three times that I acted or thought of using cultural relativism was when I traveled to El
Salvador. The reason is that cultural traditions are very different from what I’m used to. When
I travel to other countries, especially Latin America there is always a sense of cultural shock
since their culture and traditions are very different. I didn’t want to be an outsider I wanted to
somewhat blend in with the people. Therefore, I tried to embrace their traditions, especially
since I had a wedding to attend. Some ways I tried to blend in for the wedding was by
identifying what is common for them to wear and what to do. Another time was when we
went out to eat with my grandparents, I ordered my food. I had ordered a quesadilla, thinking
it was going to be like the Mexican-style quesadillas, but sure was I wrong. It was like bread
made of cheese that was usually eaten with coffee. I laughed as I had just learned something
new. Another time that I used cultural relativism was on a special occasion, New Year. They
tend to go to different places to experience a new type of environment with different people.
Everyone was in a very joyful state, I enjoyed doing that as I had never experienced before.
Compare your practice of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism to determine if you feel
you are more ethnocentric or more likely to practice cultural relativism. -
When comparing my practices of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism to either identify whether
am more ethnocentrism or cultural relativism just really depended on my age. The reason that I
say that is that when I was younger, I didn’t like doing or experiencing something new or
different. Now I feel like am more open-minded and I tend to practice more cultural relativism.
Especially if I know the meaning of the practices of other cultures. Yes, there are times when I
go into a cultural shock and am confused about what’s going on but in the end it's fun.
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