Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency of perceiving other cultures as strange or different, whereas cultural relativism appreciates the various aspects of culture. Furthermore, cultural relativism advocates for an understanding of a culture from within, also, cultural relativism recognizes the trends and connections of individual daily lives. On the other hand, ethnocentrism tends to judge a different culture based on their own beliefs and values. Ethnocentrism predisposes a society to unnecessary conflict and hinders progress in the sense that “outside” ideas are not accepted. The essay explores the American culture and the dynamics contained therein.

Many times it is not easy to discern the cultural aspects of people in dominant cultures because their values, traditions, understandings, and practices not keenly observed.Members in dominant culture do not perceive the need to study cultural difference.  The middle-class European Americans in the United States are not aware of their indigenous culture as they firmly believe that America is a melting pot of cultures. Furthermore, the misconception worsened by some terms such as the dominant majority, Caucasian, western, middleclass, mainstream, etc. American culture is the cultural aspects of a population from the recent past located in mainstream North America. Notably, the group is comprised of individuals with Western European origin and is characteristically middle-class group due to their excellent formal education and careers.

The particular aspects of American culture recognized through comparison on how the various cultures solve common problems. Therefore, there are several dimensions addressed relevant to American culture interactions with other cultures.

Time: In American culture time is a crucial factor, whereby Americans are sensitive to saving or wasting time, beating the clock and managing time. For instance, Americans invented day-timers and also included the terminology multitasking to the English language. Americans also discovered fast food and made it possible be delivered quickly to the doorstep by adding a drive-thru. Comparatively several cultures of the globe have a more relaxed perspective of time.

Relationshipvs. Task:  American culture focuses more on accomplishing tasks to the extent that it overlooks establishing of rapport. Typically, many cultures value the act of people building rapport to ensure smooth interactions and work with people. For example, in a health context the doctor should initiate rapport with the patient to build trust and warm communications. In Spanish culture, the termpersonalismo identifies of balance between friendliness and professionalism.

Status: American culture value equality. “All men are created equal” is a common political phrase in America. American culture emphasizes the egalitarian form of social life as compared to other cultures that embrace social hierarchy. The scenario leads to informal social interactions manifested in the use of the first name to address individuals. Nevertheless, this aspect of culture may make individuals from different culture uncomfortable particularly when there exist social status differences such asdoctor/patient Mr., Mrs.

Individualism: Individualism is a closely related to American culture than any other culture in the world. The cultural value manifests by the insistence that American interest should come first before any other group.In other words in American culture individual values is more critical than collectivist cultures. Again all the other aspects are intertwined with this aspect of American culture.

Some of the current ethnocentrism scenarios in America is president Donald Trump labeling of Mexicans as drug dealers and rapists who should not be allowed to step in the US. On the other hand, cultural relativism is widely practiced as American is comprised of individuals from different faiths, ethnicities, races, and nationalities but they all embrace the dominant culture.

References

Marcia Carteret, M. (2019).Eight Dimensions of American Culture | Dimensions of Culture. Retrieved from http://www.dimensionsofculture.com/2010/10/eight-dimensions-of-american-culture/

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