Select A Foreign Film Or TV Show To Explore Ethnocentrism

Select a foreign film or TV show to explore ethnocentrism and its impact

Select a movie or TV show that effectively communicates the cultural, values and norms of a society that is different from your own culture. Ideally, this movie or TV show would be a foreign film with subtitles. The movie or TV show you select should provide you with a glimpse of what life is like in another culture. The process of watching this movie or TV show should provide you with a unique, cultural experience. Watch the movie/TV show that you selected, and use your reactions as part of your response to the following topic: Define ethnocentrism and how it affects individuals, societies, and multinational corporations.

Your paper should provide a comprehensive overview of the concept of ethnocentrism. You should use your cultural experience of watching the selected movie or TV show to discuss the effect of ethnocentrism on individuals, societies, and multinational corporations. Please feel free to use any personal experiences you may have had visiting different countries around the world as part of this paper; however, do not let your personal experiences with other cultures be the focal point of this paper. The focal point of the paper is your cultural experience watching the selected movie or TV show and your comprehensive overview of the concept of ethnocentrism. Please note that this paper is not intended to be a summary of the movie or TV show.

Your paper should focus on the cultural observations that you are able to make based on this experience. Your response should be 2–3 pages.

Paper For Above instruction

In an increasingly interconnected world, understanding cultural differences and recognizing ethnocentrism's role in shaping perceptions is vital. Ethnocentrism, the belief in the inherent superiority of one's own culture, can significantly influence individual attitudes, societal norms, and corporate behaviors in multinational contexts. To explore these dynamics, I selected the foreign film Parasite (2019), directed by Bong Joon-ho, a South Korean film that vividly portrays societal divisions, class disparities, and cultural nuances within South Korea. Watching this film offered a profound cultural insight, revealing the complex social fabric, norms, and values from a perspective that diverges markedly from Western narratives.

Parasite illustrates a society marred by economic inequality, where perceptions of class shape individual behaviors and societal interactions. The film emphasizes the importance of social status and economic mobility, concepts deeply rooted in South Korean culture, yet universally relevant. The characters’ interactions underscore how ethnocentrism can manifest as rigid social stratification, fostering stereotypes and biases that perpetuate social divides. For instance, the affluent Park family exemplifies a class that often perceives itself as superior, while the working-class Kim family navigates a world where they are often viewed as inferior or invisible. This portrayal highlights how ethnocentrism—believing one’s own cultural norms as the standard—perpetuates social hierarchies and influences individual perceptions and actions.

From a societal perspective, Parasite reveals how ethnocentric attitudes sustain systemic inequalities. South Korea’s emphasis on education and professional success, deeply ingrained in its cultural values, often leads to societal pressure and stratification. Such societal norms reflect ethnocentric views of success and worth that influence policy and economic practices. The film demonstrates that ethnocentrism can hinder social mobility and foster prejudice, which in turn affect societal cohesion and development.

In the context of multinational corporations, the film offers insights into cultural insensitivity and ethnocentric management practices that may occur in global business environments. Companies operating across cultures may assume norms and practices from their home country are universally applicable, leading to misunderstandings or conflicts. For example, South Korean companies often emphasize hierarchy, respect for authority, and collectivism—values that can clash with Western individualism and egalitarian principles. Recognizing ethnocentrism’s role is crucial for multinational corporations to foster culturally sensitive practices, promote inclusivity, and avoid perpetuating stereotypes that can damage corporate reputation and effectiveness in diverse markets.

My personal experience of observing cultural differences aligns with the themes in Parasite. During a visit to South Korea, I observed the deep respect for hierarchy and collectivist behaviors in social and work settings, echoing the film’s depiction of social stratification. These observations reinforce the idea that ethnocentrism influences societal institutions and individual behaviors, often unintentionally. Understanding cultural norms through films like Parasite enhances awareness and sensitivity, highlighting the importance of challenging ethnocentric perspectives to promote global understanding and collaboration.

In conclusion, Parasite provides a compelling lens through which to examine ethnocentrism's pervasive influence across individual, societal, and corporate domains. Recognizing its manifestations enables us to develop greater cultural awareness, foster inclusivity, and navigate the complexities of global interactions more effectively. By critically reflecting on this cultural experience, I have gained a nuanced understanding of how ethnocentrism sustains societal divisions and influences intercultural relations, underscoring the importance of cultural humility and humility in international contexts.

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