Ethnocentrism & Cultural Relativism: the Continuum

In the world of cultural studies, there is a balance. There is a balance, especially, in the continuum of the relationship between the concepts of cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is defined as “a point of view that one’s own way of life is to be preferred above all others” (Rosado). This is an interesting viewpoint on life, contrasted by the definition of cultural relativism, which is the view that “values that are established by a culture are relative to the cultural ambiance out of which they arise” (Rosado). The word “ambiance” here refers to the atmosphere or mood created by an environment; in this case, it is the behavior (actions, thoughts, feelings, and morals) of a particular culture. Cultural relativism and ethnocentrism and the continuum that defines the two are useful concepts in helping humans understand human behavior more fully. This understanding of human behavior based on the cultural relativism and ethnocentrism continuum helps humans to communicate more effectively. First, there are two contrasting elements on the continuum that show the two concepts to their extreme. These two elements are disparagement and equality. Disparagement is related to ethnocentrism. This extreme form of ethnocentrism can be called “extreme negative ethnocentrism” (Rosado). Extreme negative ethnocentrism is not positive or helpful to human interaction; it is when all others are contrasted negatively with reference to the beholder’s own culture. This is Dr. Caleb Rosado’s third level of ethnocentrism, and he exemplifies this behavior with the holocaust and the genocide of the Native American. In comparison, equality is related to cultural relativism, and this is the extreme end of the continuum that is most positive and helpful to human interaction. A person who behaves in this way does not evaluate a culture or individual on a basis of norms and values other than those of the culture or individual being evaluated. Also, this person fully