Question

Three closely related concepts relevant to this chapter include culture shock, ethnocentrism, and cultural relativism. Culture shock is defined as the feeling of surprise and disorientation that people experience when they encounter cultural practices that are different from their own. Ethnocentrism is defined as the tendency to assume that one's own culture and way of life represent the norm or are superior to all others. Finally, cultural relativism is defined as the viewing of people's behavior from the perspective of their own culture. In a way, ethnocentrism and cultural relativism can be thought of as opposite tendencies.

Describe, in detail, a time when you experienced culture shock. Did the experience make you feel more ethnocentric or more culturally relativistic afterwards? How did the experience make you think differently about your own culture?
250 words
Thank u!

Answer 1

After experiencing culture shock in Japan, I initially reacted with ethnocentrism but later developed a cultural relativistic perspective, which allowed me to appreciate the local customs and reflect on my own cultural norms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Experiencing culture shock is a common phenomenon when individuals are exposed to a different cultural environment. For instance, on my visit to Japan, I was initially surprised by the degree of formality and ritual in everyday interactions, a stark contrast to the informal nature of my American upbringing. This feeling of disorientation relates to what Kalervo Oberg classified as culture shock, wherein the novelty initially fascinates, but later gives way to stress and struggle as one learns to navigate the new cultural terrain.

During this experience, my initial reaction leaned towards ethnocentrism, as I caught myself comparing and unfavorably judging the local customs against my own norms. Over time, however, I learned to adopt a more cultural relativistic perspective, appreciating the unique aspects of Japanese culture rather than viewing it through an American lens. This transition allowed me to recognize the arbitrary nature of cultural norms and to understand the value in embracing diversity.

Such experiences profoundly impact how one reflects on their own culture, leading to a more nuanced understanding of the dialogue between different cultural practices and the significance of adopting a culturally relativistic approach to better integrate into the new environment.

Answer 2

Answer: magine a person from a Western country traveling to a remote village in an Asian country for the first time. The traveler may experience culture shock as they encounter new customs, beliefs, and behaviors that are vastly different from what they are used to. For instance, they may find it surprising that people eat with their hands instead of utensils, or that they bow instead of shaking hands when greeting someone.

At first, the traveler may feel disoriented and uncomfortable as they try to adjust to the new cultural environment. They may also feel a sense of superiority and judgment towards the locals for their perceived "backwardness" or "strangeness". This initial reaction may stem from ethnocentrism, as the traveler assumes that their own cultural practices are the norm and should be followed by others.

However, as the traveler spends more time in the village and interacts with the locals, they may start to appreciate and understand the cultural differences. They may realize that the locals' customs and beliefs are deeply rooted in their history, geography, and social norms, and that they serve a purpose within their community. This shift in perspective towards understanding and accepting other cultures is an example of cultural relativism.

Overall, the experience of culture shock can lead to different reactions depending on one's mindset and openness to new experiences. It can either reinforce one's ethnocentrism by reinforcing a sense of superiority, or it can lead to a greater appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity, resulting in a more culturally relativistic outlook.

Step-by-step explanation: