QUICK
CHECK
COMMUNITY
• A group of people working together
• In OUR class: A group of students working
together to learn history!
Culture
A Way of Life
Ethnocentrism
The belief that your culture or ethnic
group is better or more important
than others
Example of Ethnocentrism
Hindus believe that cows are sacred.
During the 1800’s, Great Britain forced
Hindu soldiers to use fat from cows to
grease their gun cartridges. This went
against the Hindu religion.
Cultural Diffusion
The spreading of a culture (way of life).
What we “take” from another culture or “give”
to another culture, including government,
religion, economy, food, clothes, values, music.
Example of Cultural Diffusion
People from various ethnic
groups enjoy gathering at
th
Mexican restaurants on May 5
to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Cultural Relativism
Looking at a culture (way of life) from the viewpoint of the
people in that culture.
Learning about other cultures.
Asking questions so that you can understand other cultures.
Example
You brought some cookies to eat in
class. You ask the boy next to you if he
would like one. He says, “No, I am
fasting during Ramadan.” After class,
you ask him, “What does fasting
mean? What is Ramadan?”
YOUR TURN!!!!
When you visit Washington D.C., you
notice buildings that look similar to
buildings from Ancient Greece.
A. Ethnocentrism
B. Cultural Relativism
C. Cultural Diffusion
Adolf Hitler believed that the Arayan
race would be the best race in the
entire world.
A. Ethnocentrism
B. Cultural Relativism
C. Cultural Diffusion
You make a new friend whose family is of Italian
descent. She invites you to come for dinner. Her
grandmother is making “macaroni and gravy.” You
think that sounds a little gross, but you ask her, “Why
do you eat gravy on macaroni?”
A. Ethnocentrism
B. Cultural Relativism
C. Cultural Diffusion