Final answer:
In anthropology, suspending one's own culture-based judgments to study other societies is termed cultural relativism. It is a critical method that enables the understanding of cultures on their own terms, distinct from ethnocentrism, which views other cultures from one's own cultural perspective.
Step-by-step explanation:
When anthropologists study other societies, the approach of suspending their own culture-based judgments is known as cultural relativism. This method involves understanding the rationale, purpose, and significance of cultural traditions and knowledge before forming judgments about their validity. It's a fundamental practice in anthropology that allows researchers to appreciate other cultures on their own terms, providing a holistic analysis of the society being studied. The concept mandates a temporary suspension of judgment to facilitate exploration and understanding, especially useful when dealing with complex or controversial topics, like female genital cutting.
Ethnocentrism is the opposite approach, where one views other cultures from the perspective of their own cultural norms, often leading to the belief that one's own culture is superior. Cultural diffusion, on the other hand, refers to the spread of cultural elements from one society to another. It is important to distinguish between these concepts to appreciate the full context of anthropological studies.