When observing people from other cultures, many of us use our own culture as the yardstick by which we judge their behavior. Sociologists refer to this approach as cultural relativism and it is based on the assumption that one's own way of life is superior to all others.

Question

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Cultural relativism is actually the opposite of this assumption. It is the idea that a person's beliefs and actions should be understood within the context of their own culture, rather than judged by the standards of another culture.

When Observing People from Other Cultures, Many of Us Use