A Japanese girl is sipping on a can of Coke and reading a US Weekly magazine. She is considering plastic surgery to change her eyes because she wants to look more like the girls in US Weekly magazine. Which of the following best characterizes this situation?
A) media conglomeration
B) corporate culturalism
C) cultural penetration
D) cultural imperialism

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This situation best characterizes cultural imperialism, which refers to the domination of one culture over another through media, economic, or political means. The girl in this scenario is being influenced by the images and messages conveyed by US Weekly magazine, which promotes a Western standard of beauty that is not natural or attainable for many in other parts of the world. The desire to alter her physical appearance to conform to this standard is a manifestation of this cultural imperialism.

A Japanese Girl Is Sipping on a Can of Coke