What term is used to describe understanding and respecting other cultures?

The term that best captures the understanding and respect for other cultures is cultural sensitivity. This concept emphasizes the importance of being aware of, and respectful toward, cultural differences, which includes recognizing and appreciating the diverse practices, beliefs, and values of various groups. Cultural sensitivity involves actively listening and learning about others' experiences and perspectives without making assumptions or judgments, thus fostering positive interactions and relationships among people from different backgrounds.

Cultural appropriation, while related to the adoption of elements from one culture by another, often carries negative connotations regarding the misuse or exploitation of cultural symbols or practices. Cultural assimilation refers to the process by which individuals or groups merge into another culture, often losing their original cultural identity in the process. Cultural relativism is an anthropological concept asserting that a person's beliefs and practices should be understood based on their own cultural context rather than judged against the criteria of another culture, but it doesn't specifically focus on respect. Thus, cultural sensitivity is the most accurate term for understanding and respecting cultural differences.