Stigma, Ethnocentrism, and Cultural Relativism (8B) Practice Test

A nongovernmental organization (NGO) piloted a maternal-health campaign in a rural district where postpartum “seclusion” is practiced for several weeks, during which new parents limit visitors and rely on kin for food and infant care. Some NGO staff argued the practice is “irrational” and should be eliminated to ensure clinic follow-up, while local leaders stated seclusion reduces infection exposure and provides social support. During the pilot, women who attended the clinic during seclusion reported being criticized by relatives for violating expectations, and some stopped attending to avoid conflict. What outcome would be most expected from an ethnocentric viewpoint?

A city health department evaluated a harm-reduction initiative offering naloxone training in a neighborhood with a large Puerto Rican community. Focus groups indicated that some residents associated naloxone distribution with being labeled a “drug neighborhood,” and local shop owners worried about reputational damage. As a result, several residents avoided attending trainings held in visible public locations, despite privately supporting overdose prevention. When trainings were moved to a general community wellness fair and framed as “family safety,” attendance increased. The evaluation examined how social labeling shaped participation.

Based on the vignette, how does stigma most plausibly influence behavior?