Strengths of ethnocentrism in studying other societies?

Question

what are the strengths of ethncentrism while doing field work?..

I can only think of one that without ethncentrism, we wont even care other cultures.

Answer 1

Anthropology is largely a comparative science. Without having a baseline from which to draw comparisons and contrasts, then all that you're able to do is state fects about a culture. Comparing and contrasting gives these facts relevance.  While making these correlations to other cultures is possible, it's easier to do so with a culture that you're more familiar with: your own.  By comparing other cultures to your own, it often appears that you're being ethnocentric, while in actuality you're simply using the topic on which you have the largest depth and bredth of knowledge.

Oh, by the way, Americans rule.

Answer 2

Ethnocentrism is always a factor when conducting anthropological studies. Our own cultural practices seem normal to us--as another person already mentioned, it can be more difficult for us to examine our own ways for this reason. But anthropologists are always speaking from a subjective position. None of us are able to speak from outside of what we know. In the 1960s, anthropologists began to realize this and began to rethink their roles. A lot has been written about it if you want to look into it. Of course, there is a difference between believing in hierarchies based on culture, race or any other factor and having the recognition that we are all inherently biased.

Be suspicious of anyone who claims to be totally objective. Ethnocentrism is something all anthropologists must confront and wrestle with in their work.

Answer 3

If you are Ethnocentric i don't think you be able to study other people societies because you already think your culture is superior.

Answer 4

I seriously beg to differ and aha, I think your logic is terribly flawed. Ethnocentricity is what prevents others from wanting to care about other cultures. The only benefit of ethnocentricity  could be  that it is possible that it fosters a sense of nationalism/ national pride which is useful  and helps you to keep your head up when elsewhere and sorrounded by complete strangers. on the Flip side you better not call yourself a researcher and try to study other cultures and expect to give a fair report if you allow your ethnocentric beliefs to even influence you. That would be akin to biased reporting. And hopefully your book/report will be put in the back of the library in the section where other archaic and ethnocentric reports such as that on eugenics, phrenology and the wandering womb etc belong.

Answer 5

Ethnocentrists, it seems to me, have a strong tendency to be biased  when looking at non-conformational results for a question in the study.

As well, most cultures, it seems to me, believe in the strength of their culture.

Answer 6

Ethnocentrism is usually detrimental to the study of human culture.  Usually, people can't see all the ways in which they are biased towards their own culture, even when they try to be objective.  For instance, in many ways, the 1970s was a very masculine era.  That's also when the Man the Hunter theory gained popularity.  More studies and investigations have shown that hunter/gatherer societies often get most of their calories from gathering and that many supposed prehistoric human hunted remains were really hunted by other predators and scavenged by humans.  Many Man the Hunter proponents of yesterday probably would've ignored evidence without even realizing they were doing so.