Cultural-Relativism-in-Attaining-Cultural-Understanding.pptx

Cultural relativism is the idea that a person’s beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on their own culture, rather than being judged against another culture’s standards.

It teaches us that no culture is “superior” or “inferior”—each has its own unique way of life shaped by history, environment, and traditions. For example, a practice that may seem strange or unacceptable in one culture might be completely normal and meaningful in another.

Key Points of Cultural Relativism:

1. Respect for Differences – It helps us appreciate and respect cultural diversity.


2. Understanding in Context – Practices should be studied and understood in the cultural background where they developed.


3. Against Ethnocentrism – It discourages judging other cultures using the standards of one’s own culture.



👉 Example: Eating insects may seem unusual in some countries, but in others it is a normal, nutritious, and even valued food source.

In short, cultural relativism promotes open-mindedness, tolerance, and empathy, reminding us that what is “right” or “wrong” can vary depending on cultural perspectives.

1. Explain the Importance of Cultural Relativism in Attaining Cultural Understanding Quarter 1: Module 3

2. Because of our geographical structure and history, it resulted to DIVERSE and CULTURALLY VARIATED society "So many faces, so many races, different voices, different choices" "Every color and every hue is represented by me and you

3. are traits that are parts of every known culture. bodily adornment, courtship, dancing, education, food taboos, funeral rite Cultural Universal Cultural Differences D OMINANT

4. 1. Subculture Variation between Culture is a culture that is shared with a distinctive pattern of mores, folkways, and values which differ from a larger society. Hanukkah, (Festival of Lights. which means “dedication,”  commemorates the miracle of light that occurred when Judah rededicated the Temple to the Hebrew god Traditional Lighting. Light the first candle on the first Sunday of Advent.  On the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, light one of the purple candles . Example

5. 2. Counter Culture Variation between Culture is a culture practice by groups whose values and norms place it at odds with mainstream society or a group that actively rejects the dominant cultural values and norms. Example Paramilitary NPA ISIS

6. 3. High Culture Variation between Culture is a culture practiced and patronized by the upper classes of the society. Example Watching Opera, Classical music and live theater

7. 4. Popular Culture Variation between Culture is a culture practiced or patronized by the middle and working classes of the society. Example Watching Soap Opera over TV, movies and rock concerts

8. Ethnocentrism Opposite of Cultural Relativism There is cultural standard or norms in analyzing different cultures Ethnic Bias or Cultural Bias. Racisms, Discrimination and other hate crimes. Use of one's own culture to judge others in their society. One's group is the center "everything, and all others are scaled and rated with it"-William Sumner - involves a belief or attitude that one’s own culture is better than all others ( William Graham Sumner, 1906).

9. Historical background Colonial Mentality Addiction of Filipino to Whitening Products Example

10. Addiction of Filipino to KPOP Example

11. Addition of Filipino to KPOP Example

12. Ethnocentric perspective Example

13. Ethnocentrism Culture shock is the feeling of disoriented, uncertain, out of place or even fearful when immersed in an unfamiliar culture. Culture differences CULTURAL RELATIVISM

14. XENOCENTRISM  the word “XENOCENTRISM” was coined by American Social Scientist JOHN D. FULLMER  one culture has the desire that their culture is not better or the feeling of being inferior to other culture

15. XENOCENTRISM ?  Opposite of Ethnocentrism , or the belief that one’s culture is inferior to another.

16. XENOCENTRISM ?  preference for the products, styles, or ideas to someone else’s culture rather that its own culture

17. EXAMPLE OF XENOCENTRISM buying of imported products penchant of many Filipinos living/working in other country is better than to live/work in the Philippines. Japan is the only country that make great cars, cellular phone, etc

18. Cultural Relativism refers to the practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of one’s own culture. “No culture is superior to other culture” Multiculturalism refers to both the fact of the existence of a diversity of cultures within one territory and to a way of conceptualizing and managing cultural diversity. The logic of cultural relativism is at the basis of contemporary policies of multiculturalism.

19. Cultural Relativism It is a perspective in social science/ anthropology that you analyze the commonalities/similarities of each culture. Folk Dance Appreciation, acknowledgement, Credits

20. What is the importance of Cultural Relativism? 2. It is important to lessen the negative impacts of ethnocentrism because it causes intolerance and hatred for groups of people.. 3. Become culturally aware prepares us for cross-cultural interactions in a world that is increasingly globalized 1. It helps us understand people who are different from us. Generalization

21. Cultural Relativism: How it Works? Ask this questions? Is this a part of their cultural identity I this important in their culture? Is this action considered right or normal in their culture The claims of cultural relativism tells us that we should look into the cultural background of a belief, practices or attitude first before judging it. Generalization

22. Cultural Relativism “Culture I like a color spectrum wherein everything is unique and beautiful” Thus, it needs acknowledgement, appreciation, and understanding because at the end of the day we are all humans. Generalization