In The Final Research Paper You Will Describe An Aspect Of Y

In The Final Research Paper You Willdescribe An Aspect Of Your Own Cu

In the final research paper, you will describe an aspect of your own culture from an etic (outsider’s) perspective in Part I. You will then describe an aspect of another culture from an emic (insider’s) perspective in Part II. The paper must apply cultural relativism to examine potential misconceptions caused by ethnocentrism. It is important to distinguish between cultural relativism—understanding cultural practices within their context—and moral relativism—judging practices based on one’s own moral standards. Even if you personally disagree with a cultural practice, you should explain how it makes sense within its cultural context.

Ensure your language remains objective, avoiding opinionated or judgmental statements. Analyze how each cultural aspect developed as part of a social system within both your own culture and the other culture. Additionally, examine the purpose of these practices from the perspective of their respective social systems.

The final paper should be five to six double-spaced pages in length (excluding the title page and references), totaling approximately seven to eight pages. It must be formatted in APA style, including a separate title page with the following information: paper title, student’s name, course name and number, instructor’s name, and submission date. Consult APA formatting guidelines from the Ashford Writing Center for proper formatting.

Your paper must employ academic voice and include an introduction ending with a clear thesis statement outlining its purpose. The introduction and conclusion paragraphs are required. Refer to the Ashford Writing Center’s resources for guidance on crafting effective introductions, conclusions, and thesis statements.

At minimum, you should incorporate one scholarly, peer-reviewed source—preferably from the Ashford University Library—alongside your textbook, the Miner article, and the article from the Week 3 topic list for Part II. Ensure all sources are cited in-text following APA style, and include a properly formatted references page.

For formatting and citation guidance, consult the Ashford Writing Center’s resources on APA style. Before submission, use Grammarly to check for grammatical errors and Turnitin to ensure proper citation and originality. Review the Ashford guide on quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing to correctly incorporate sources.

Paper For Above instruction

The task of exploring cultural aspects from both an outsider’s and insider’s perspective offers a nuanced understanding of cultural relativity and ethnocentrism. As a student familiar with American culture, I will analyze an aspect of American social customs—specifically the concept of individualism—and examine an aspect of another culture, for example, collectivism within Japanese society, from their respective perspectives.

Part I: American Individualism – An Etic Perspective

From an outsider’s perspective, American culture is often characterized by its focus on individual achievement, personal freedom, and self-reliance. This individualistic orientation is embedded deeply within societal institutions, educational systems, and even legal frameworks. For example, the U.S. emphasizes the importance of personal rights, the pursuit of happiness, and the belief that individuals are responsible for their own success or failure (Hofstede, 2001). This perspective shapes American attitudes towards work, family, and social relationships, prioritizing personal goals over collective wellbeing. As an outsider analyzing this aspect, one might note that American individualism fosters innovation and personal ambition but can also lead to social isolation, inequality, and a reduced sense of community (Bellah et al., 1985).

Part II: Japanese Collectivism – An Emic Perspective

Conversely, within Japanese society, collectivism is rooted in social harmony, group identity, and interdependence. An insider perspective reveals that Japanese cultural practices—such as emphasizing group consensus, respectful communication, and social obligation—serve to maintain harmony and social order. Practices like "wa" (harmony) reflect a cultural value that prioritizes group needs over individual desires (Markus & Kitayama, 1991). From this perspective, collectivism makes sense as it promotes stability, mutual support, and a shared sense of purpose, which are vital in a society where social cohesion is essential for communal survival. Even practices that may appear restrictive, such as strict adherence to social roles or indirect communication, are understood as mechanisms to sustain group harmony and avoid conflict.

Analyzing both perspectives through the lens of cultural relativism reveals that these practices are adaptations to their unique social environments. American individualism supports personal freedom but can undermine social cohesion, whereas Japanese collectivism fosters harmony but may suppress personal expression. Recognizing these practices within their cultural context prevents ethnocentric judgments and promotes understanding of their functional purposes.

In conclusion, examining cultural practices through etic and emic viewpoints highlights the importance of cultural relativism in avoiding misconceptions based on ethnocentrism. Appreciating the social functions of individualism and collectivism underscores that these practices are rational responses to the specific needs and values of their cultures. A respectful, contextual understanding fosters intercultural sensitivity and enriches our appreciation of human diversity.

References

• Bellah, R. N., Madsen, R., Sullivan, W. M., Swidler, A., & Tipton, S. M. (1985). Habits of the heart: Individualism and commitment in American life. University of California Press.
• Hofstede, G. (2001). Cultural differences related to individualism and collectivism. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 25(1), 15-34.
• Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation. Psychological Review, 98(2), 224–253.
• Crapo, R. H. (2013). Culture Anthropology. Retrieved from [insert URL]
• Urban, E., & Palmer, L. B. (2016). International students’ perceptions of value of U.S. higher education. Journal of International Students, 6(1), 123-139.
• Miner, J. B. (n.d.). An anthropological perspective on culture and social systems. Ashford University Library.
• Ashford Writing Center. (n.d.). APA Style. Retrieved from [insert URL]
• Ashford Writing Center. (n.d.). Writing introductions & conclusions. Retrieved from [insert URL]
• Ashford Writing Center. (n.d.). Citing sources in APA. Retrieved from [insert URL]
• Turnitin. (n.d.). Using Turnitin through Waypoint. Retrieved from [insert URL]