What does the term “cultural relativism” refer to in sociology?

The term "cultural relativism" in sociology refers to the evaluation of a culture based on its own standards. This concept encourages understanding a culture from its own perspective, which helps to avoid ethnocentric judgments—assessments based on the values and norms of one's own culture. By applying cultural relativism, sociologists emphasize the importance of context and the significance of local practices and beliefs within their cultural framework, rather than imposing external standards that may not be relevant to that particular culture. This approach fosters a greater appreciation of cultural diversity and acknowledges that various cultures develop their own distinctive norms and values based on historical and social factors specific to their contexts.