Cultural relativism is a central approach in anthropology: it helps researchers understand beliefs and practices in relation to the larger cultural settings in which they occur. This lesson explains how cultural elements connect, why anthropologists temporarily suspend judgment, and why relativism does not mean that anything is acceptable.
Cultural relativism is the principle that a belief or practice should be understood within the broader cultural whole to which it belongs. Cultural elements do not exist in isolation: values, customs, institutions, and everyday practices influence and reinforce one another.
All flashcards
What is cultural relativism?
It is the anthropological approach of understanding a cultural belief or practice in relation to the wider cultural context in which it occurs.
What does it mean to study culture holistically?
It means examining how beliefs, practices, values, and social relationships connect and shape one another rather than treating a practice as isolated.
Why do anthropologists temporarily suspend judgment?
They do so to explore a practice’s context, meanings, and social forces before drawing conclusions, rather than letting initial reactions limit the analysis.
Does cultural relativism mean approving of every practice?
No. It is a method for understanding practices in context. Understanding a practice does not mean approving of it or denying that it may cause harm.
How can outside judgment sometimes undermine an intervention?
If it ignores the local meanings and social relationships that sustain a practice, an intervention may fail to address why people continue it and may do more harm than good.
Quiz questions
What does cultural relativism ask anthropologists to do?Answer: Understand a belief or practice in relation to its broader cultural context.
Why do anthropologists temporarily suspend judgment when studying a cultural practice?Answer: To investigate its context and meaning before drawing conclusions.
Which health concerns are associated with female genital cutting (FGC)?Answer: Infection, urinary problems, infertility, and childbirth complications.
Why might campaigns focused only on educating individual mothers be insufficient to reduce FGC?Answer: They may overlook the wider social pressures and local values shaping family decisions.
Based on Introduction to Anthropology by Jennifer Hasty, David G. Lewis, Marjorie M. Snipes (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.