Elise travels across Thailand with her friends and, to her surprise, finds the country quite unlike the United States. “I hate the food,” she tells her family at home. “I hate the language, I hate the weird customs and awful music. America is clearly the best place to be.” This is an example of:
A Paradigms
B Ethnocentrism
C Xenocentrism
D Moral relativism
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is B. Ethnocentrism.
Explanation:
Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own culture, values, or way of life is superior to those of other cultures. In this scenario, Elise expresses strong negative feelings about the food, language, customs, and music in Thailand, comparing them unfavorably to the culture of the United States. Her statement, “America is clearly the best place to be,” highlights her belief that American culture is the best, and she devalues the culture of Thailand as a result. This is a clear example of ethnocentrism.
Ethnocentrism can manifest in various ways, but it typically involves viewing other cultures through the lens of one’s own cultural norms and values. In Elise’s case, she is dismissing the Thai culture as inferior because it does not align with her American cultural expectations. This belief can lead to misunderstandings and prejudices, as it fails to appreciate the diversity of cultural expressions around the world.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A. Paradigms: A paradigm refers to a typical example or pattern of something, particularly in the context of how people view or understand the world. This is not applicable in this scenario since Elise is not presenting a general pattern but rather expressing her personal judgment about Thailand.
- C. Xenocentrism: Xenocentrism is the opposite of ethnocentrism; it involves the belief that other cultures are superior to one’s own. If Elise had praised Thai culture while criticizing American culture, that would have been an example of xenocentrism, but this is not the case here.
- D. Moral relativism: Moral relativism is the idea that moral standards and judgments are culturally dependent and not absolute. Elise’s statement does not reflect an understanding or acceptance of cultural differences in moral values but instead expresses a judgment that her own culture is superior.
Thus, Elise’s negative reaction to Thai culture exemplifies ethnocentrism.