SYG 2001
Week 2: Individual Work (Worksheet)
In the United States, we have many different values present. Some of these include freedom, independence, justice and equality. We are a melting pot of cultures and in such, we see a wide variety of value systems at play.
For our first Individual Work Worksheet, you will explore three values that you think are central to American culture. From there, let’s define ethnocentrism. Is it ethnocentric to be nationalistic? Finally, define cultural relativism. Are values culturally relative? Why/Why not?
Please respond to all of the following prompts:
1. Explore three values that are central to American culture.
What are the three values you would like to explore?
When I think of values, the three I feel are most important to American culture are success, freedom, and individualism. These are the values I would like to explore.
Why are these important to us?
Success is important to us because it ensures we can take care of our families. Freedom is important to us because without freedom we would not be as great of a nation as we are today. Individualism is important to us because if everyone had to express themselves in exactly the same way life would be boring.
2. Define ethnocentrism. Is it ethnocentric to be nationalistic?
What does ethnocentrism mean?
When we speak of ethnocentrism, we mean “the use of one’s own culture as a yardstick for judging the ways of other individuals or societies, generally leading to a negative evaluation of their values, norms, and behaviors” (Henslin, 2015). In other words, it is when we compare what other cultures value in life, how they think, and how they act to what we as a culture value in life, how we think, and how we act, and condemn the other cultures for the differences we find.
Is it ethnocentric to be nationalistic?
Nationalism is being patriotic or being loyal to your own country. I do not think it is ethnocentric to be nationalistic. When you are nationalistic, you are simply adhering to the values of your own culture. When you are ethnocentric, you use those values to judge other cultures.
3. Define cultural relativism. Are values culturally relative?
What does cultural relativism mean?
understood as cultural.” He says there are many negative connotations that are associated with being a relativist. There really should not be, however, because each different culture has a different view of the truth.
Do you think values are culturally relative?
Yes, I do think values are culturally relative. As Americans, we place great stock in the value of the Golden Rule, do unto others as you would have done unto you. Other cultures place more stock in the survival of the fittest rule. In other words, here in America, we find it rude when people push us out of the way to get to where they are going, because we would not do that to them. We do not want to hurt others. However, in the example in our textbook, Henslin tells about how, in Morocco, they push and shove to get a bus or train ticket. Whoever is the fastest, strongest, and has the longest arm is the person who gets that ticket.
4. Apply Symbolic Interactionism to how we view values. (If needed, go back to Week 1. We
covered this in our Week 1 discussion and Chapter 1 readings.)
How can we apply symbolic interactionism to how we view values?
“The basic notion of symbolic interactionism is that human action and interaction are understandable only through the exchange of meaningful communication or symbols” (Boundless, 2014). As a culture, the symbols we associate with our values vary. Success is measured by completing projects and material wealth. Those are the symbols we, as a culture, have put on success. Freedom is
symbolized by the American flag, the Statue of Liberty, and the Liberty Bell. We also find symbols of freedom in our Pledge of Allegiance and in the national anthem. Individualism is symbolized by the clothes we wear, our hairstyles, body piercings, tattoos, artwork, and writing.
References
Henslin, J. M. (2015). Essentials of sociology (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Rosaldo, R. (2014, January 1). Of Headhunters and Soldiers: Separating Cultural and Ethical Relativism. Retrieved January 19, 2015 from
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/iie/v11n1/relativism.html
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective – Boundless Open Textbook. (2014, December 16). Retrieved January 19, 2015 from
