1.
Pick a cultural value and define it.
Individualism is a cultural value that is focused on the rights, looks, and beliefs a
person has as they try and find their independence. This culture encourages individual
expression through dress, dance, music, art, literature, passions, hobbies, sports,
creativity, etc. that spark their fulfillment and enjoyment in life. During the process of
understanding different cultures,
Anthropologists focus on multiple questions that can
be asked about each culture to help them determine how the culture functions
(Ferraro 12).
Such questions that can be asked about the Individualism cultural value
are: how does Individualism interact with other cultures and how does it affect them?
How do economic circumstances affect Individualism culture? How does the media
portray the Individualism culture?
2.
Explain how it has been applied in an ethnocentric way to another culture.
The Individualism culture value can be applied in many cultures. For this
example, we will apply it into Western culture, which is the society we participate in
today. The Western culture has been in practice for a longer period of time, and is able to
add more cultural value to the value of Individualism. Those in the Western culture might
see Individualism in a negative light, creating a division with those around us. The text
stated that
“...we may see ourselves as holding a particular value or cultural trait, but
then we describe that trait in only the most positive ways. Those looking at us from
the outside, however, are more likely to see some of the negative implications as
well” (Ferraro 22).
I feel that this sentence perfectly describes how others might view
cultures that vary from their own. Other cultures may feel threatened by what others
believe, and may not want any form of influence to come into their culture because it will
stray from tradition.
3.
Explain how it could be applied in a culturally relativistic way.
Individualism applied in a culturally relativistic way is a much lighter view and is
more positive. This view recognizes that Individualism is just one of the many cultures
that exist, and is to be viewed in an optimistic state. The culturally relativistic way and
view of studying various cultures does a fantastic job of following what was stated in the
text in
“accomplishing three tasks: understanding culture-specific information about
other cultures, understanding our own culture, and understanding how culturally
different people view us and our cultural patterns” (Ferraro 22).
When
accomplishing these three tasks, we are better able to see, and maybe even appreciate,
cultures with an open mind.
4.
How does the study of anthropology help us better understand our cultural values?
The study of anthropology helps us to better understand our cultural values
because it provides cultural insights and how those cultures are able to thrive in the
environments they’re instituted in. However, I feel that the greatest contribution is what is
mentioned in the text
“Still another contribution of anthropology is that it helps us
better understand ourselves” (Ferraro 18).
Our minds, perceptions and views of the
world are able to open and view the world in a light never thought of before. We are able
to understand how accepting, kind, judgemental, understanding, etc. we are as
individuals.
