Ethnocentrism Essay - 1816 Words

Ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism is the name given to a tendency to interpret or evaluate other cultures in terms of ones own. This tendency has been, perhaps, more prevalent in modern nations than among preliterate tribes. The citizens of a large nation, especially in the past, have been less likely to observe people in another nation or culture than have been members of small tribes who are well acquainted with the ways of their culturally diverse neighbours. Thus, the American tourist could report that Londoners drive on the wrong side of the street or an Englishman might find some customs on the Continent queer or boorish, merely because they are different. Members of a Pueblo tribe in the American Southwest, on the other hand,†¦show more content†¦What is moral in one culture might be immoral or ethically neutral in another. For example, it was not immoral to kill a baby girl at birth or an aged grandparent who was nonproductive when it was impossible to obtain enough food for all; or wi fe lending among the Eskimo might be practiced as a gesture of hospitality, a way of cementing a friendship and promoting mutual aid in a harsh and dangerous environment, and thus may acquire the status of a high moral value. The view that elements of a culture are to be understood and judged in terms of their relationship to the culture as a whole--a doctrine known as cultural relativism--led to the conclusion that the cultures themselves could not be evaluated or graded as higher and lower, superior or inferior. If it was unwarranted to say that patriliny (descent through the male line) was superior or inferior to matriliny (descent through the female line), if it was unjustified or meaningless to say that monogamy was better or worse than polygamy, then it was equally unsound or meaningless to say that one culture was higher or superior to another. A large number of anthropologists subscribed to this view; they argued that such judgments were subjective and therefore unscientific . It is, of course, true that some values are imponderable and some criteria areShow MoreRelatedEthnocentrism And Cultural Relativism : Ethnocentrism950 Words   |  4 PagesEthnocentrism and Cultural relativism are two concepts similar, but different. Ethnocentrism and Cultural relativism both share a similar practice of trying to understand other beliefs and cultures, but they are both hugely different. See Ethnocentrism is having the belief that one’s country and culture is the best and is the right way to go and that you are right and everyone else is wrong. While Cultural relativism is understanding other cultures, countries, and their beliefs. I believe I am aRead MoreEssay on Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism667 Words   |  3 PagesPlease define and compare and contrast ETHNOCENTRISM and CULTURAL RELATIVISM. Discuss how you have experienced OR witnessed both concepts in our American Society. Ethnocentrism is viewing your own culture as more superior than any other culture, that all other groups are measured in relation to one’s own. Ethnocentrism can lead to cultural misinterpretation and it often distorts communication between human beings. + while cultural relativism is the concept that the importance of a particularRead MoreEthnocentrism : The World s Leading Super Power1067 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is ethnocentrism, the definition is evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one s own culture. Which is broken down to mean the higher valuing of one’s self culture nature and origin compared to others. This can be expressed in action and words, as Americans we exude we are number one. As the world’s leading super power we have become full of our self and almost to the point of narcissism. All over the world people flock to our shoresRead MoreHuman Behavior, Ethnocentrism, And Cultural Relativism1466 Words   |  6 Pagesobjects, institutions and factors that contribute to social change and understanding of human behavior. In studying human behavior, ethnocentrism and cultural relativism will be examined as these concepts expose the authors (McDo nnell 2016). Male domination will also be considered while examining these concepts as an important trait in the Afghan society. Ethnocentrism is an idea supported by a mixture of beliefs that one’s own culture is superior to any other culture. The ideas, foreign ways, andRead MoreEthnocentrism Prevalent in some University Campus1919 Words   |  8 PagesIn my observation of Walla Walla University I have seen ethnocentrism being a prominent part of the campuss culture. Ethnocentrism is a commonly used word in circles where ethnicity, inter-ethnic relations, and similar social issues are of concern. The definition of ethnocentrism is the belief that ones culture and way of life are superior of other groups. This causes judging among different groups and assumptions that there are inferior groups to your own. The roots of the word are ethnic andRead MoreEthnocentrism Is A Basic Attitude Expressing The Belief That One? S Own Culture Essay1731 Words   |  7 PagesETHNOCENTRISM Ethnocentrism is a basic attitude expressing the belief that one?s own ethnic group or one?s own culture is superior to other ethnic groups or cultures, and that one?s cultural standards can be applied in a universal manner. The term was first used by the American sociologist William Graham Sumner (1840?1910) to describe the view that one?s own culture can be considered central, while other cultures or religious traditions are reduced to a less prominent role. Ethnocentrism is closelyRead MoreEssay about Napoleon in Egypt772 Words   |  4 Pagesnot a European provides an alternative viewpoint to the events that happened in Egypt as opposed to the accounts that have been read and taught by Europeans. Although the article is a different perspective it does show strong cultural bias and ethnocentrism towards the French people from the eyes of the Egyptians. The article shows bias in the tone it is written, the unkindness used to mock the French and the incomplete tales of the battles that took place. The writings of Al-Jabarti show significanceRead MoreThe Theory Of Management And Management1294 Words   |  6 Pagestheir purchases. Just as the Contingency Model of leadership depends on two factors (Mitchell et al., 1970; Greer Plunkett, 2003), using a contingency approach with brand purchasing depends on two factors as well. These factors are consumer ethnocentrism, a reflection values in support of local products, and global connectedness, which notes their views and understanding of the world (Strizhakova Coulter, 2015, p. 4). Both factors are similar to the two factors of character and situation whenRead MoreThe Failure of Disney Paris2387 Words   |  10 Pagesdistribution methods were still within Disney’s control. Accommodating these, with the uncontrollable elements after careful consideration could have given them a better start leaving them more prepared for any surprises. 3. What role does ethnocentrism play in the story of EuroDisney s launch? Whenever management relies too heavily on past experience in the home market for guidance abroad, errors proving fatal to the international venture often result. According to Ricks, Fu and Arpan (1974)Read MoreEthnocentrism1047 Words   |  5 Pages(Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism) As a Sociologist, should we practice Cultural Ethnocentrism or Cultural Relativism? We must first understand the two distinct theories regarding perception of outside cultures: Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism. Ethnocentrism is judging another culture solely by the values and standards of ones own culture.[1] The ethnocentric individual will judge other groups relative to his or her own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern

Frankenstein, By Mary Shelley Essay - 1595 Words

In Mary Shelley’s â€Å"Frankenstein,† Mary Shelley tells a story within a story in the 18th century. In the beginning, the story is framed by Robert Walton’s, an English man traveling in the Artic, remanences. Walton begins to narrate a story about a Swiss scientist named Victor Frankenstein. This narrative is terrifying and gruesome due to the horrific events that take place during the story. Frankenstein was a medical student who eventually found himself intrigued with surgical experimentation. Due to his fascination with animation, which soon evolves into an obsession, Frankenstein finds himself in a situation that he was unprepared for. In all his â€Å"success,† Frankenstein realized that his experimental outcome is too much for him to handle; even though Frankenstein is knowledgeable when it comes to the medical field, his lack of morals leaves him in sad isolation. Which was carried out by no other than his own creation, the creature he had reanim ated himself. However, many critics tend to sympathize with the creature despite his actions to destroy Frankenstein’s life. Even though the creature executed terrifying actions, he was raised by a selfish man with no concern for his life. The Creature was created with an innocent child-like mind in the beginning. Nevertheless, the creature had an appearance that was scary and too much for the public to handle, including his own creator Frankenstein. Frankenstein abandons his creature and deprives him of nurturing actions. For thisShow MoreRelatedFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1650 Words   |  7 Pagesbook of Frankenstein does one just think of a mythical science fiction book that really has no meaning? Frankenstein can have numerous meanings depending on how a person perceives it. Frankenstein can be analyzed into many themes; some say religion, feminism, or scientific symbolization, it all depends on ones own perception. When one analyzes further into Mary Shelly’s l ife and then interprets the novel it is obvious that is a sociological theme. One can simply assume that Mary Shelley creates FrankensteinRead MoreFrankenstein by Mary Shelley1093 Words   |  4 Pagesfaster than man can contend with. That argument is the premises, moral, and plot base for Mary Shelleys tale Frankenstein. On the other hand, J. Michael Bishops, essay Enemies of Promise   on the other hand promotes and boast sciences achievements. However, Mary Shelley presents her point of view subtly yet very dramatically, which is much more effective than that of J. Michael Bishop. The dramatic story Shelley creates becomes a part of the reader, therefore holding the readers attention. ShelleysRead MoreMary Shelley Frankenstein859 Words   |  4 Pages Mary Shelley The Creature in Mary Shelley’s â€Å"Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus† needs a companionship as every ordinary human. Every man needs a woman, who will able to share moments of happiness and sadness, a woman who will be able to share thoughts and of course a woman who will be able to love a man. In this case the Creature needs a bride. But the problem is that the Creature from the â€Å"Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus† is not a human. SoRead MoreFrankenstein, by Mary Shelley1138 Words   |  5 PagesIs Frankenstein a man, whose ambition led to a disaster; or a monster, which created a life with disregard for the human race? Frankenstein, in my opinion, was the monster not the life that he had created. Frankenstein never admitted to his family what he had done, never admitted responsibility for his actions. He might as well have killed Elizabeth, William, Justine, and Clerval with his own hand. The so called â€Å"Monster† only wanted companionship; he did not want to murder those people. TheRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1325 Words   |  6 PagesI have been informed that you are pushing to remove the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley from the school curriculum. I’ve decided to write to you and explain why I believe that you are misinformed, and in fact, why this is a huge importance to the students of today. Frankenstein is a classic which recounts the life and horrors of Victor Frankenstein, as told through a series of letters and narrations. His obsession with the natural world and science brings him to a state of mind which ultimatelyRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1580 Words   |  7 PagesFrankenstein by Mary Shelley is a sci-fi novel written during the Romantic Movement in Britain’s early nineteenth century. The movement was stimulated by the French Revolution, Industrial Revolution and in reaction against the emphasis on reason in eighteenth-century Enlightenment philosophy (The Romantic Movement, 2014 ). Mary Shelley’s husband, Percy Shelley was also a romantic poet during the movement. Shelley’s novel is evidently influenced by her relationship with her husband, which is illustratedRead MoreFrankenstein by Mary Shelley739 Words   |  3 Pagesinterconnections of humanity, nature, and divinity (â€Å"Romanticism 1†). English Romanticism being trendy in Europe, people would vent their outlooks onto their personal fiction works such as Mary Shelley. Shelley uses vivid creativity and romantic elements to create one of her admired novels, Frankenstein. In Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, most of the characters prove their compassion for mankind, prove their rejection of technology and science, and prove their involvement in a romantic quest. These several characteristicsRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1040 Words   |  5 Pages In 1818, a book titled Frankenstein was published anonymously, mysteriously dedicated to William Godwin, a prominent journal ist and political philosopher of his time. The immediate reviews of the novel were mixed, most edging towards critical, although no one knew who the book was written by. However, while Frankenstein failed to gain popularity immediately, no one had any idea the lasting impact this novel would have on the world. Despite the lukewarm reception at its debut, it soon proved to beRead MoreFrankenstein, by Mary Shelley1078 Words   |  5 PagesMary Shelley’s Frankenstein has undoubtedly withstood the test of time. Frankenstein’s direct association with fundamental Gothic literature is extremely renowned. However, the novel’s originality is derived from the foundational thematic values found within the relationship (or lack there of) between Victor Frankenstein and the monster he had created, in combination with a fascinatingly captivating plot. Understandably, Frankenstein can often be associated with a multitude of concepts; however,Read MoreFrankenstein, By Mary She lley1532 Words   |  7 PagesLike any author, especially one who created a new genre, there will be criticism, and Shelley is no exception. Shelley received criticism surrounding Frankenstein not only because she was a female writer, but because of her writing style. Originally, Frankenstein was published anonymously and was thought that her husband, Percy Shelley, wrote it (â€Å"Mary Shelley Biography† 2016). Shelley may have published Frankenstein anonymously because â€Å"’women understood that they got a â€Å"better hearing† if it was thought

Didion Electric Charge and Santa Ana Winds free essay sample

Didion Text Analysis Essay In the essay, â€Å"Los Angeles Notebook†, Joan Didion outlines the uncontrollable effects of the Santa Ana winds. She conveys her views of the Santa Ana winds as a fierce force of nature by describing its effects on the residents and environment. The tone is very precise and vivid. The overall basis of the passage is how the Santa Ana Winds affects the natives. And it’s through her use of imagery, diction, syntax, and selection of detail that she expresses her view of the Santa Ana Winds. From the beginning of the passage, Didion tries to capture the attention of the readers through her usage of uneasy, negative diction throughout the stories. However in the second half of the passages, Didion expresses her views with scientific detail. An example of the scientific detail portray is when she describes the effect on the environment preceding the phenomenon. The quote is â€Å"the air carries an unusually high ratio of positive to negative ions. We will write a custom essay sample on Didion: Electric Charge and Santa Ana Winds or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page She furthermore uses another quote to back up the scientific claim; the quote is â€Å"in any case the positive ions are there, and what an excess of positive ions does, in simplest terms, is make people unhappy. † These quotes show that Didion is able to express that the â€Å"Santa Ana Winds† have a profound effect on the environment scientifically. Secondly, In the â€Å"los Angeles Notebook†, Didion illustrates the negative imagery by establishing the winds with humanistic qualities. One example of the imagery is when Didion recalls a folk tale that she was told when she first moved to Los Angeles. The tale was that the native Indians would jump into the ocean in of â€Å"the Santa Ana. † The exact quote was, â€Å"†¦was living on an isolated beach, that the Indians would throw themselves into the sea when the bad wind blew†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This to me shows the psychological effect that came with wind. Just the sheer thought of people committing suicide cause of wind, was the icing on the cake; that the Santa Ana Winds are an evil force. This to me was a really good example of imagery because I could clearly picture the exact scene. In her essay, â€Å"Los Angeles Notebook† Joan Didion wants the reader to take away that the â€Å"Santa Ana Winds† are an unnatural force that affect people’s behaviors and environment (animals, weather and etc). It also emphasizes that the inevitable will come eventually, and how people will react to it. And it is through the diction and imagery, that we perceive that the Santa An winds are some kind of catastrophe that changes the entire quality of life.

Theres No Place Like Home Essay Example

Theres No Place Like Home Essay As a little girl growing up in a tiny Illinois farm town, I would often dream of moving to Chicago and becoming somebody completely different. When I finally arrived there after graduating from high school, I was absolutely overwhelmed. After a while, I discovered that while my location had changed, I was still that small town girl. Since that time I have asked myself: is home merely a state of mind? Is geography nothing more than a physical location? And, in the case of Christopher McCandless and Gerald Broflofski, can changing your identity be as easy as changing your zip code? I do not believe that to be the case. In fact, I find the opposite to be true. It is one’s experiences and morals that makes a person who they are. Location, ultimately, is just a backdrop. As a young man, Christopher McCandless is raised in an upper-middle class family in a metropolitan area on the East Coast. He is educated, athletic and well travelled. His family is part of the All-American culture of comfortable suburban homes, country clubs and higher education. His athleticism and education both play into his previous survival for four months in the Alaskan bush. We will write a custom essay sample on Theres No Place Like Home specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Theres No Place Like Home specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Theres No Place Like Home specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Similarly, South Park’s animated character Gerald Broflofski is living the typical American dream in his little part of the world. He resides in urban Colorado with his homemaker wife and two sons. Broflofski is part of the regular-Joe society of South Park. Both of these individuals have building blocks that have been laid that determine who they are by these experiences. Additionally, McCandless tries to push aside the morals of his upper middle class rearing and he turns his back on a financially secure future, but it is those very qualities that give him the tools and the belief to go out on his own. His studies in Anthropology and History in college help to develop his desire to live a less complicated nonmaterialistic, more virtuous lifestyle. This is the reason he journeys to the Alaskan wilderness. He tries so hard to change himself he creates and alternate identity and writes on the plywood window in the bus, â€Å"No longer to be poisoned by civilization he flees, and walks alone upon the land to become lost in the wild. Alexander Supertramp† (Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild, 291) It does not matter that he is not prepared for it. All that matters to him is that he gets away from everything he has every known. Correspondingly, Broflofski decides he wants to be â€Å"Part of the solution, not part of the problem† (Smug Alert! South Park). He gets a new ecologically sensible Hybrid vehicle which leads him to make the high-minded decision that the socially irresponsible people of Southpark no longer understand him. This ushers in his desire is to live amongst those who are more like him. When McCandless and Broflofski feel they are being poisoned by their existing lives, they both want to escape to a different zip code. By changing their physical location, they believed, they could change who they were. But, Home isn’t just a state of mind, geography is so much more than just a location and identity is alterable but it is also repairable. In the end it is nature that stops McCandless from being able to rejoin civilization when he realizes after almost four months on his own that what he really desires is to live life simply in the company of others. While the fictional Brofloski’s make it back to South Park Colorado thanks to the great smug storms, they once again find that they are home among those who are really most like them. In the manner of Dorothy and her tornado in the Wizard of OZ, both McCandless and the Broflofski’s discover that there really is no place like home. Krakauer, Jon. â€Å"Selections from Into the Wild. † The New Humanities Reader. Eds. Richard Miller Kurt Spellmeyer. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2006. 286-306. Print â€Å"Smug Alert! † South Park. (Trey Parker Matt Stone). Comedy Partners. 29Mar. 2006 Television