Anthropology: ethnocentrism and cultural relativism Ethnocentrism is judging other cultures on the basis of one’s own cultural standards. On the contrary, cultural relativism is judging cultures based on their standards. In ethnocentrism, one’s own culture and ethnicity are viewed as being superior to other cultures. However, cultural relativism allows people to be open minded on other cultures as one cannot use a single parameter to judge other people. Nonetheless, both ethnocentric and cultural relativism views have their pros and cons. Cross- cultural sensitivity is in between, and allows anthropologists to be wary of dangers posed when relying on values to reach decisions about cultures.
