PERSPECTIVE ON CULTURE

There are several ways in which people belonging to a particular culture view or respond to their culture relative to other cultures. If one is exposed to a culture different from ones own, he/she may feel a sense of: ethnocentrism, xenocentrism, cultural relativism, culture shock, multiculturalism.

ETHNOCENTRISM

It is a belief that the elements or the whole identity of ones culture is beautiful, strong, and powerful in comparison to other culture. An ethnocentric person will assume that all that is situated within one culture background is far more superior to others and that the notion of beauty, intelligence, sense of normality, and achievement should be measured using the parameters that are used to judge his/her culture.

XENOCENTRISM

It is the exact opposite of ethnocentrism. In here, one believed that the culture one possesses is inferior to others or that part of it is far less satisfying that there is something inadequate in the culture which one belongs to. This may be manifested in suspicion and mistrust towards indigenous ideas, beliefs, and objects that are indigenous or local. This may also result in the marginalization of oneself and the denial of origin.

CULTURAL RELATIVIT Y

It is a believed that no culture is superior or inferior; no culture is better than the other and that all culture should be judge based on the measures given and defined from that culture alone. Culture has no rank and cultures are different from one another.

CULTURE SHOCK

It is the feeling of lost, confusion or disorientation one person feels when exposed or confronted by a foreign culture or elements of it. This can be defined as the initial reaction or response by an individual to everything that is alien. A persons sense of symbolic definition is in turmoil if she/he is exposed to a lot of things that cannot be grasped in a small amount of time. Culture shock is exacerbated by the inability to effectively make sense of what is going on. (e.g foreign language, unintelligible signs, confusing foreign language coupled by fear and panic).

MULTICULTURALISM

This is the global trend, the absorption of some cultural aspects from other people and incorporates this to the local community. This way, the culture becomes richer and far more complex. Parallel to this is the increased ability for respect and tolerance. By absorbing more of the culture around you, the people becomes sensitive of the surrounding culture, af finity, and similarities can be established in the long run resulting to accommodation and mutually recognized existence among multicultural society.

MULTIPLE CULTURAL WORDS

MULTIPLE CULTURAL WORDS

Most individuals are members of multiple cultural worlds. Culture exists at several levels. We typically refer to smaller cultures within a larger culture as subcultures . Some of the diversity we see across subcultures is based on class, race, ethnicity, age, and gender. Social stratification is often the result of our recognition of these worlds as dif ferent and a belief that they are somehow inferior to our own or to the larger culture.

CLASS

It is a social category based on peoples economic position in society. Not all societies exhibit class differences; ones who do not are called egalitarian. Class societies are hierarchical, with one class having more access to resources than others.

RACE

It is the socially constructed meanings assigned to the perceived differences between people based on physical traits (e.g skin color, facial features, hair types).

ETHNIC GROUP

It refers to people who identify themselves as a distinct group based on cultural features such as common origins, language, customs and beliefs. Ethnic groups can be historically constituted (a group of people who shared a territory, language or religion) or they can be more recently claimed (e.g the Moros or Lumads ).

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

These are groups who have a long-standing connection with some territory that predates colonial or outside societies prevailing in the territory. Indigenous peoples are groups that were in a territory before colonists arrived. (e.g Aetas are an indigenous group). They are frequently called First Peoples, and often suf fer from discrimination.

GENDER

It refers to the cultural meanings assigned to the biological dif ferences between the sexes. Most societies only have masculine or feminine cultural roles, but some have a third, or even a blended, gender. refers to the cultural meanings assigned to the biological dif ferences between the sexes. Most societies only have masculine or feminine cultural roles, but some have a third, or even a blended, gender.

AGE

It is both a biological fact as well as being culturally constructed. Most societies have obligations and responsibilities that are assigned based on individuals reaching specific ages. Think of driving, drinking, and voting.