What examples can i use to explain ethnocentrism and cultural relativism?
In a way, these are almost opposite points of view. Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at human behavior from the perspective of one’s own culture. This usually includes the arrogant belief that one’s own ethnic group is the most important and/or that most or all aspects of personal culture are superior to those of all other ethnic groups. Consider the views of Nazi Germany and the belief that Aryan culture is vastly superior to all others. Cultural relativism is the forced tendency to look at human behavior and beliefs from the perspective of the culture in which it exists. Cultural relativism requires ethnography and perhaps ethnology. Consider the work done in studying Native American cultures by someone willing to travel to a village, learn the language and participate in all forms of daily activities before starting an ethnic study.
