In the context of cultural relativism, when the slave trade was active in the United States, slaves who tried to escape bondage could be diagnosed with a mental disease that was said to have caused them to:
A)misunderstand their roles.
B)desire freedom from their masters.
C)refuse to work in the fields.
D)experience delusions of grandeur.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Slaves who attempted to escape were diagnosed with drapetomania, a supposed mental disorder that caused them to desire freedom from their masters. This diagnosis was based on the belief that slaves were content with their enslaved status and that any attempt to escape indicated a mental illness. Such a belief is an example of cultural relativism, where the culture of the dominant group (slave owners in this case) determines what is considered normal or abnormal.

In the Context of Cultural Relativism, When the Slave Trade