Cultural Relativism and Ethnocentrism – MCQs

1. What does cultural relativism emphasize?
(A) The superiority of one’s culture
(B) Understanding a culture by its own standards
(C) Judging other cultures based on personal beliefs
(D) Promoting cultural imperialism

2. Ethnocentrism refers to:
(A) Viewing one’s culture as inferior to others
(B) Studying cultures objectively
(C) Judging other cultures by the standards of one’s own culture
(D) Promoting cultural diversity

3. Which of the following best describes cultural relativism?
(A) All cultures should follow Western traditions
(B) No culture is superior to another
(C) Technology advancement is universal
(D) A single global culture is ideal

4. Ethnocentrism can often lead to:
(A) Tolerance and understanding
(B) Prejudice and discrimination
(C) Cultural awareness
(D) Globalization

5. The practice of evaluating a culture by its own standards is called:
(A) Xenophobia
(B) Cultural relativism
(C) Cultural imperialism
(D) Social Darwinism

6. Which is a negative effect of ethnocentrism?
(A) Increased cultural understanding
(B) National pride
(C) Cultural stereotypes and conflict
(D) Preservation of local languages

7. Cultural relativism promotes:
(A) Cultural dominance
(B) Acceptance of cultural differences
(C) Ethnocentric thinking
(D) Racial superiority

8. Which term describes a belief that one’s own group is the center of everything?
(A) Cultural relativism
(B) Ethnocentrism
(C) Multiculturalism
(D) Cultural lag

9. A person practicing cultural relativism would likely:
(A) Judge other cultures harshly
(B) Reject learning about new cultures
(C) Try to understand cultural practices in their own context
(D) Promote cultural superiority

10. Ethnocentrism often results in:
(A) Cultural diffusion
(B) Bias against unfamiliar cultural practices
(C) Equal appreciation of different cultures
(D) Support for multiculturalism

11. Which of the following is an example of ethnocentrism?
(A) Appreciating foreign cuisine
(B) Believing that one’s religion is the only truth
(C) Learning new languages
(D) Traveling to learn about cultures

12. Cultural relativism helps prevent:
(A) Open-mindedness
(B) Cultural misunderstanding
(C) Discrimination
(D) Both (B) and (C)

13. Which statement reflects ethnocentric thinking?
(A) “All cultures are equally important.”
(B) “Their customs are strange because they are not like ours.”
(C) “Different societies have different ways of life.”
(D) “We should try to learn about their traditions.”

14. Which concept supports tolerance for cultural diversity?
(A) Xenophobia
(B) Cultural relativism
(C) Ethnocentrism
(D) Imperialism

15. Ethnocentrism may result in:
(A) Cultural isolation
(B) Cultural integration
(C) Cultural borrowing
(D) Multiculturalism

16. Anthropologists generally advocate for cultural relativism to:
(A) Promote cultural superiority
(B) Understand cultures fairly
(C) Spread Western culture
(D) Maintain ethnocentric views

17. A major limitation of extreme cultural relativism is:
(A) It encourages racism
(B) It can excuse human rights violations
(C) It leads to globalization
(D) It promotes technological backwardness

18. Ethnocentric behavior may cause:
(A) Better diplomatic relations
(B) Increased global unity
(C) Racial prejudice
(D) Greater cultural understanding

19. The phrase “my culture is the best” reflects:
(A) Cultural relativism
(B) Ethnocentrism
(C) Cultural universalism
(D) Cultural diffusion

20. Which of the following promotes cultural empathy?
(A) Ethnocentrism
(B) Cultural relativism
(C) Nationalism
(D) Xenophobia

21. Cultural relativism requires:
(A) Rejecting your own culture
(B) Judging other cultures as inferior
(C) Understanding cultures in their own terms
(D) Promoting cultural dominance

22. Which can be a danger of complete cultural relativism?
(A) Ignoring moral issues in a culture
(B) Promoting ethnocentrism
(C) Encouraging global unity
(D) Spreading discrimination

23. Ethnocentrism can hinder:
(A) National identity
(B) International cooperation
(C) Community solidarity
(D) Cultural pride

24. Which of the following statements is NOT ethnocentric?
(A) “Our traditions are better than others.”
(B) “Foreign foods taste weird.”
(C) “We can learn from their customs.”
(D) “Only our way is correct.”

25. Which term refers to understanding cultural practices without judgment?
(A) Ethnocentrism
(B) Cultural relativism
(C) Social Darwinism
(D) Xenophobia

26. A tourist criticizing local dress styles as “weird” is displaying:
(A) Cultural relativism
(B) Ethnocentrism
(C) Acculturation
(D) Assimilation

27. Which is a positive result of practicing cultural relativism?
(A) Greater cultural bias
(B) Development of prejudices
(C) Enhanced cross-cultural understanding
(D) Cultural isolation

28. Cultural relativism encourages people to:
(A) Look down on other societies
(B) Understand cultures from their perspective
(C) Promote global standardization
(D) Adopt one global religion

29. Which of the following might result from ethnocentrism?
(A) Racism
(B) Cultural diffusion
(C) Technological advancement
(D) Peaceful coexistence

30. Cultural relativism fosters:
(A) Discrimination
(B) Ethnocentric attitudes
(C) Tolerance of cultural practices
(D) Cultural conflict

31. Ethnocentrism views one’s culture as:
(A) Just one among many cultures
(B) Superior to others
(C) Equal to others
(D) Inferior to others

32. Which of the following challenges cultural relativism?
(A) Cultural diversity
(B) Universal human rights
(C) Language barriers
(D) Technology gaps

33. Which concept encourages respect for unfamiliar traditions?
(A) Xenophobia
(B) Cultural relativism
(C) Ethnocentrism
(D) Ethnography

34. Ethnocentric thinking often leads to:
(A) Ethnic tolerance
(B) Racial discrimination
(C) Intercultural dialogue
(D) Cultural relativism

35. The opposite of ethnocentrism is:
(A) Nationalism
(B) Cultural relativism
(C) Imperialism
(D) Social hierarchy

36. Judging another culture’s funeral customs as “weird” reflects:
(A) Cultural relativism
(B) Cultural appropriation
(C) Ethnocentrism
(D) Cultural pluralism

37. Cultural relativism is essential for:
(A) Preserving ethnocentric attitudes
(B) Understanding global diversity
(C) Promoting racial superiority
(D) Ignoring cultural differences

38. What is a limitation of ethnocentrism?
(A) Fosters global cooperation
(B) Encourages open-mindedness
(C) Leads to misunderstanding between cultures
(D) Supports multicultural education

39. Ethnocentrism can create problems in:
(A) National unity
(B) International relations
(C) Local governance
(D) Family relations

40. Which promotes understanding rather than judgment?
(A) Cultural relativism
(B) Ethnocentrism
(C) Nationalism
(D) Fundamentalism

41. Which practice helps reduce cultural bias?
(A) Ethnocentrism
(B) Cultural relativism
(C) Cultural stereotypes
(D) Cultural discrimination

42. Cultural relativism can sometimes conflict with:
(A) Cultural diversity
(B) Ethnocentrism
(C) Human rights principles
(D) Cultural pride

43. Viewing one’s nation as superior to all others is:
(A) Cultural relativism
(B) Globalism
(C) Ethnocentrism
(D) Cultural pluralism

44. Which is NOT an example of cultural relativism?
(A) Trying foreign food with an open mind
(B) Criticizing other cultures’ religious beliefs
(C) Studying another culture respectfully
(D) Learning local customs while traveling

45. Which term refers to cultural arrogance?
(A) Cultural relativism
(B) Xenocentrism
(C) Ethnocentrism
(D) Cultural pluralism

46. Why is cultural relativism important in anthropology?
(A) It supports cultural dominance
(B) It prevents ethnocentric bias
(C) It imposes one’s culture globally
(D) It stops cultural change

47. Which is a direct consequence of extreme ethnocentrism?
(A) Peaceful coexistence
(B) Cultural integration
(C) Discrimination and conflict
(D) Global cultural blending

48. Which statement represents cultural relativism?
(A) “Their customs are backward.”
(B) “Let’s try to understand their traditions first.”
(C) “We should impose our customs on them.”
(D) “Only our customs are logical.”

49. Ethnocentrism is commonly seen in:
(A) Multicultural education programs
(B) Acts of discrimination against minorities
(C) Tolerance for cultural diversity
(D) Intercultural celebrations

50. Which promotes intercultural respect?
(A) Ethnocentrism
(B) Cultural relativism
(C) Cultural bias
(D) Discrimination