The significance of sociological imagination and ethnocentrism
Samantha Hurley
Ivy Tech Community College

Abstract
Horace Miner constructed an article named “Body Ritual among the Nacirema”. The intention of this article was to examine the ideals and way of life in the culture of the “Nacirema”. Miner tells of this culture which readers imagine to be extremely out there and different. This culture’s way of life is deemed as extreme paranoia and the extreme measures this culture takes when it comes to health, beauty, and death. However, readers are thrown in for a twist when they eventually realize that Miner is mocking their own culture, and that all of these strange practices and ideals are part of their very own everyday life. Because of the way Miner constructs this article he allows for readers to experience ethnocentrism and sociological imagination by tricking readers into thinking they are reading about another culture. Readers are able to detach themselves from their very own culture and view it from the outside looking in. Next they are able to examine their judgments and how quickly they may jump to conclusions when indulging into another type of culture, but then are able to examine their own when they begin reading it as unbiased and then become biased on the matter. It allows room for examination from the outside, and most importantly, examination of one’s own self.

“Body Ritual among the Nacirema” by Horace Miner is an ironic and sardonic article that takes its readers for a journey. First, Miner mocks the tribe “Nacirema” making readers feel the urge to judge along with him. Next Miner slowly lowers his readers into the realism that this “Nacirema” is actually closer to home than realized. Readers are thrown for a surprise when they eventually comprehend this mockery for its actuality in discussing their own way of life. Because of the mockery mixed emotions are conceived regarding a readers own way of living. Miner toys with emotions by detaching his readers from their world by presenting it drastically and over exaggerated. However, miner does so only to leave readers in absolute confusion of emotions when he gives enough information to realize it is themselves who is being exposed and mocked. Complete irony is presented in Miner’s writing that allows for sociological imagination and ethnocentrism to take place.
Horace Miner first contributes to sociological imagination because he provides the ability for readers to experience their culture from the outside looking in. First, Miner asserts to readers, “Nacirema present such unusual aspects that it seems desirable to describe them as an example of the extremes to which human behavior can go.” This statement detaches readers from this tribe and allows one to develop an understanding that the culture of “Nacirema” will exhibit exotic and extreme behaviors forcing a reader to make judgments. Most importantly readers are separated from this culture and begin to compare it to their own. Next, Miner directs readers to the understanding that although this culture has been known for decades, anthropologists still have troubles understanding this culture. By doing this Miner hints that not even specialized persons in this area have grasped an understanding of this culture which encourages judgment. This inevitably makes readers feel this tribe is “out of their world”. Throughout Miner’s assertions and small remarks in between statements he guides readers to isolate and compare themselves to this tribe. From this readers use sociological imagination thoroughly and accurately, even though in complete irony.
Miner slightly drops hints of Northern American culture but just grazes them to continue to fool his readers until their mind eventually catches on. Although, some readers may catch on to the mockery quicker than others. Miner goes on to discuss the obsession of the “Nacirema” on the human body. He explains the way this tribe takes such measures to make the human body increase its health and beauty. Miner tells readers that “Nacirema” views the body to be ugly and prone to disease. This is the underlying cause as to why body rituals are a necessity to this tribe. Next, Miner continues to discuss this “shrine” and how it is the cure to all their problems. Miner states, “Every household has one or more shrines devoted to this purpose.” The purpose being to cure the ugliness and disease infest of their bodies. Miner tells readers, “The focal point of the shrine is a box or chest which is built into the wall. In this chest are kept the many charms and magical potions without which no native believes he could live.” He then tells readers that the tribe gets these special potions and charms from the “medicine man” who decide it is best to have and then the “herbalist” give the tribe their charms. This can all be decoded on a normal level equivalent to one another. First, the shrine equaling a bathroom. Next, this chest built into the wall that contains “charms” and “magical potions” equals what we call a medicine cabinet containing pills and medicines. Lastly, the medicine man equivalent to a doctor and an herbalist equal to a pharmacist. Rather than Miner explaining this culture on a level with no implicated judgment he explains their ways of life over exaggerated and implies his own judgment towards this culture inevitably making the reader feel the same way. Once readers are able to tell that this culture being discussed and examined is actually one of their own readers experience ethnocentrism.
Ethnocentrism takes place in reading this article by the time the mockery allows readers to finally understand they have been judging their own culture all along. Ethnocentrism is experienced when one puts their culture as superior to another and makes judgments on an alternative way of life. Miner purposely uses words such as “magical” to imply this cultures strangeness because of the knowledge we have as a culture of magic being non-existent. Ethnocentrism is nearly forced in this article through Miners own mockery, implications, and exaggerations. However, it is nearly deemed necessary to be able to grasp the true understanding of sociological imagination and ethnocentrism.
Although, one could argue Miner forces judgment and mockery he teaches an important lesson to his readers. Readers exhibit a true understanding of the meaning sociological imagination and ethnocentrism. Although ironic Miner forces readers to examine their own self and learn an important lesson of judgment and why it is important to refrain from it.

References Miner, H. (1956). Body ritual among the Nacirema. American Anthropologist, 58(3), 503-507. Schaefer, Richard T. (2012). Sociology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.