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Cultural Relativism: A Challenge to Cultural Stereotypes

Description: Cultural Relativism: A Challenge to Cultural Stereotypes
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: cultural relativism cultural stereotypes anthropology sociology
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What is the central idea of cultural relativism?

  1. Cultures should be judged by their own standards, not by the standards of other cultures.

  2. All cultures are equally valid and should be respected.

  3. Cultural differences are superficial and do not affect the underlying human nature.

  4. Cultural practices should be evaluated based on universal moral principles.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Cultural relativism emphasizes that cultural practices and beliefs should be understood and evaluated within their own cultural context, rather than being judged by the standards of another culture.

Which anthropologist is most closely associated with the development of cultural relativism?

  1. Franz Boas

  2. Margaret Mead

  3. Ruth Benedict

  4. Claude Levi-Strauss


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Franz Boas is considered the father of cultural relativism. He argued that cultures are unique and should be studied on their own terms, rather than being compared to or evaluated against other cultures.

According to cultural relativism, what is the relationship between culture and morality?

  1. Morality is absolute and universal, and applies to all cultures.

  2. Morality is relative to each culture, and what is considered moral in one culture may be considered immoral in another.

  3. Morality is a product of individual conscience and is not influenced by culture.

  4. Morality is a social construct that is constantly evolving and changing.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Cultural relativism posits that moral values and ethical standards are culturally specific and vary across different societies.

What are some of the challenges to cultural relativism?

  1. It can lead to moral relativism, where anything goes and there are no absolute moral standards.

  2. It can be difficult to understand and appreciate cultural practices that are very different from our own.

  3. It can be used to justify cultural practices that are harmful or oppressive.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Cultural relativism faces several challenges, including the potential for moral relativism, the difficulty of understanding alien cultural practices, and the risk of justifying harmful or oppressive practices.

How can cultural relativism be applied to real-world situations?

  1. It can help us to understand and appreciate cultural differences, and to avoid making judgments about other cultures.

  2. It can help us to resolve conflicts between people from different cultures.

  3. It can help us to develop more effective policies and programs that are sensitive to cultural differences.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Cultural relativism can be a valuable tool for understanding and resolving conflicts between people from different cultures, and for developing policies and programs that are sensitive to cultural differences.

Which of the following is an example of cultural relativism?

  1. A person from the United States judging the eating habits of a person from China as strange and unappetizing.

  2. A person from India understanding that the concept of personal space varies across cultures and adjusting their behavior accordingly.

  3. A person from Brazil believing that their own culture's music is superior to all other cultures' music.

  4. A person from Australia assuming that everyone in the world celebrates Christmas.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Cultural relativism involves understanding and respecting cultural differences, such as the concept of personal space, rather than judging them as strange or inferior.

How does cultural relativism challenge cultural stereotypes?

  1. It encourages people to question their own cultural assumptions and biases.

  2. It promotes open-mindedness and curiosity about other cultures.

  3. It helps people to recognize that cultural differences are not necessarily better or worse, just different.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Cultural relativism challenges cultural stereotypes by encouraging people to question their own cultural assumptions, be open-minded about other cultures, and recognize that cultural differences are simply different, not necessarily better or worse.

What is the difference between cultural relativism and cultural universalism?

  1. Cultural relativism emphasizes the uniqueness of each culture, while cultural universalism emphasizes the commonalities shared by all cultures.

  2. Cultural relativism believes that all cultures are equally valid, while cultural universalism believes that some cultures are superior to others.

  3. Cultural relativism is a theory, while cultural universalism is a practice.

  4. Cultural relativism is associated with anthropology, while cultural universalism is associated with sociology.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Cultural relativism and cultural universalism are two opposing perspectives on culture. Cultural relativism emphasizes the uniqueness of each culture, while cultural universalism emphasizes the commonalities shared by all cultures.

Which of the following is an example of cultural universalism?

  1. The belief that all cultures have a concept of family.

  2. The belief that all cultures have a language.

  3. The belief that all cultures have a system of government.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Cultural universals are traits or characteristics that are shared by all cultures. Examples include the concept of family, language, and systems of government.

How can cultural relativism be used to promote tolerance and understanding between different cultures?

  1. It can help people to recognize that their own culture is not the only way of life.

  2. It can help people to appreciate the diversity of human cultures.

  3. It can help people to communicate more effectively with people from other cultures.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Cultural relativism can be used to promote tolerance and understanding between different cultures by helping people to recognize the diversity of human cultures, appreciate the value of cultural differences, and communicate more effectively with people from other cultures.

What are some of the limitations of cultural relativism?

  1. It can be difficult to apply in practice, especially when dealing with cultures that are very different from our own.

  2. It can be used to justify cultural practices that are harmful or oppressive.

  3. It can lead to a lack of accountability for human rights abuses.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Cultural relativism has several limitations, including the difficulty of applying it in practice, the potential for justifying harmful cultural practices, and the risk of leading to a lack of accountability for human rights abuses.

How can cultural relativism be balanced with the need for universal human rights?

  1. By recognizing that some cultural practices are harmful and should be condemned, even if they are sanctioned by a particular culture.

  2. By working to develop international agreements and standards that protect human rights.

  3. By promoting education and awareness about human rights around the world.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Balancing cultural relativism with the need for universal human rights requires a multifaceted approach, including recognizing harmful cultural practices, developing international human rights standards, and promoting education and awareness about human rights.

What is the role of cultural relativism in anthropology?

  1. It is a fundamental principle of anthropological research and practice.

  2. It helps anthropologists to understand and interpret cultural differences.

  3. It encourages anthropologists to be open-minded and respectful of other cultures.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Cultural relativism is a core principle of anthropological research and practice. It helps anthropologists to understand and interpret cultural differences, and encourages them to be open-minded and respectful of other cultures.

How does cultural relativism contribute to the field of cross-cultural psychology?

  1. It helps cross-cultural psychologists to understand the influence of culture on human behavior.

  2. It encourages cross-cultural psychologists to avoid making ethnocentric assumptions.

  3. It promotes the development of culturally sensitive psychological theories and interventions.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Cultural relativism is a valuable tool for cross-cultural psychologists, as it helps them to understand the influence of culture on human behavior, avoid ethnocentric assumptions, and develop culturally sensitive psychological theories and interventions.

What are some of the ethical challenges that arise from cultural relativism?

  1. The challenge of balancing cultural relativism with the need for universal human rights.

  2. The challenge of avoiding ethnocentrism and cultural bias.

  3. The challenge of respecting cultural differences while also promoting social progress.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Cultural relativism presents several ethical challenges, including the need to balance cultural relativism with universal human rights, avoid ethnocentrism and cultural bias, and respect cultural differences while promoting social progress.

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