Discuss the concepts of ideology, ethnocentrism, cultural symbols, and cultural innovation. Explain how having an understanding of these concepts helps social workers to have a conceptualization of culture.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ideology is kin to values, but is used to mean a set of shared beliefs that explains the social world and guides people's actions, especially in relation to economic and political theory and policy. Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own cultural way of life is normal, natural, and even superior to other cultural ways of life; other cultures are judged by the standards of one's own culture. A symbol, simply stated, is something that stands for something else. It can be verbal (language), an artefact (a flag), or nonverbal behavior (standing for the national anthem). Innovation is any new idea, tool, or method. Social workers must be aware of their own ethnocentrism, as well as that of clients. Ideology is important to understand in one's reactions to others, but also in clients' reactions to what is around them. Cultural symbols of diverse groups should be recognized by the social worker, and (s)he can ask clients to explain those symbols and their importance as well. Finally, innovations can have a profound impact on individuals and cultures in either negative or positive ways.