Ethnocentrism is the process of judging another culture exclusively from the perspective of one's own. Ethnocentric people compare their culture to others on such elements as religion, behavior, language, customs, and norms. The term is frequently heard in situations where inter-ethnic relations and ethnic issues are of concern.
What is the difference between ethnocentrism and egocentrism?
is that egocentrism is the constant following of one's egotistical desires to an extreme while ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own traditional, deferred, or adoptive ethnic culture. The constant following of one's egotistical desires to an extreme.
What is ethnocentrism in simple terms?
- Generating pride and self-confidence among the people of a group, about the group, themselves, and each other
- Defining social standards and the behavior that a group is expected to follow, thus maintaining uniformity among the people
- There’s not much chance of causing internal conflicts.
- Immunity to external control and influence
What does it mean to be ethnocentric?
Some would simply call it cultural ignorance. Ethnocentrism means that one may see his/her own culture as the correct way of living. For those who have not experienced other cultures in depth can be said to be ethnocentric if they feel that their lives are the most natural way of living.
What are examples of ethnocentrism?
What Are 3 Examples Of Ethnocentrism?
- The belief that one’s culture or group is better than another’s culture or group.
- The belief that one’s own culture or group is correct, and that other cultures or groups are wrong.
- The belief that one’s own culture or group is the only correct culture or group.
Which of the following is a definition of the term ethnocentrism quizlet?
Ethnocentrism. The view held by members of a culture that the values and ways of one's own group are superior. All other cultures are inferior. Ethnocentrism leads to racism.
What are 3 examples of ethnocentrism?
Examples of EthnocentrismJudging Other Countries' Diets.Expecting Others to Speak English.Chopsticks vs Western Cutlery.An Idiot Abroad.My Big Fat Greek Wedding.Thinking you Don't have an Accent (And Everyone else Does!)Judging Women's Cultural Outfits.Colonial Imperialism.More items...•
Which is an example of ethnocentrism quizlet?
What is an example of ethnocentrism? If we go to the store and ask for a green coat but the man gives us a blue coat we automatically assume that he is colourblind (at the best) or stupid (at the worst).
What are the types of ethnocentrism?
Indeed, more recent cross-cultural measurement of ethnocentrism has suggested that there are two kinds of ethnocentrism: (1) intragroup ethnocentrism, which includes a sense of strong group cohesion and devotion to one's own ethnic group, and (2) intergroup ethnocentrism, which includes preference for ethnic ingroups ...
What is a positive example of ethnocentrism?
Ethnocentrism Pronunciation Ethnocentrism can be positive or negative, an example of positive ethnocentrism is civic pride, and an example of negative ethnocentrism is belittling non-conforming minority groups.
What are some examples of ethnocentrism in America?
Ethnocentrism usually entails the notion that one's own culture is superior to everyone else's. Example: Americans tend to value technological advancement, industrialization, and the accumulation of wealth.
What is a example of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism?
What is cultural relativism? Have you ever seen or eaten food from another country, such as dried squid or fried crickets and think of it as weird and gross? This is an example of ethnocentrism! That means you use your own culture as the center and evaluate other cultures based on it.
What is ethnocentric behavior?
Ethnocentrism is a nearly universal syndrome of attitudes and behaviors. The attitudes include seeing one's own group (the in-group) as virtuous and superior and an out-group as contemptible and inferior. The attitudes also include seeing ones own standards of value as universal.
What is the definition of ethnocentrism?
Sumner stated that "Ethnocentrism is the technical name for this view of things in which one's own group is the center of everything, and all others are scaled and rated with reference to it." In the War and Other Essays (1911), he wrote that "the sentiment of cohesion, internal comradeship, and devotion to the in-group, which carries with it a sense of superiority to any out-group and readiness to defend the interests of the in-group against the out-group, is technically known as ethnocentrism." According to Boris Bizumic it is a popular misunderstanding that Sumner originated the term ethnocentrism, stating that in actuality he brought ethnocentrism into the mainstreams of anthropology, social science, and psychology through his English publications.
What is ethnocentrism in social science?
Ethnocentrism in social science and anthropology —as well as in colloquial English discourse—means to apply one's own culture or ethnicity as a frame of reference to judge other cultures, practices, behaviors, beliefs, and people, instead of using the standards of the particular culture involved. Since this judgment is often negative, some people also use the term to refer to the belief that one's culture is superior to, or more correct or normal than, all others—especially regarding the distinctions that define each ethnicity's cultural identity, such as language, behavior, customs, and religion. In common usage, it can also simply mean any culturally biased judgment. For example, ethnocentrism can be seen in the common portrayals of the Global South and the Global North.
How does ethnocentrism work?
In social sciences, ethnocentrism means to judge another culture based on the standard of one's own culture instead of the standard of the other particular culture. When people use their own culture as a parameter to measure other cultures, they often tend to think that their culture is superior and see other cultures as inferior and bizarre. Ethnocentrism can be explained at different levels of analysis. For example, at an intergroup level, this term is seen as a consequence of a conflict between groups; while at the individual level, in-group cohesion and out-group hostility can explain personality traits. Also, ethnocentrism can helps us to explain the construction of identity. Ethnocentrism can explain the basis of one's identity by excluding the outgroup that is the target of ethnocentric sentiments and used as a way of distinguishing oneself from other groups that can be more or less tolerant. This practice in social interactions creates social boundaries, such boundaries define and draw symbolic boundaries of the group that one wants to be associated with or belong to. In this way, ethnocentrism is a term not only limited to anthropology but also can be applied to other fields of social sciences like sociology or psychology .
What is the effect of ethnocentrism on the outgroup?
Since ethnocentrism implicated a strong identification with one's in-group, it mostly automatically leads to negative feelings and stereotyping to the members of the outgroup, which can be confused with racism.
Why is ethnocentrism hindered?
However, that exchange of information can be hindered by ethnocentrism because it can diminish the interest of interacting with people from other cultures.
How does ethnocentrism influence consumer preference?
Ethnocentrism also influences consumer preference over which goods they purchase. A study that used several in-group and out-group orientations have shown a correlation between national identity, consumer cosmopolitanism, consumer ethnocentrism, and the methods consumers choose their products, whether imported or domestic.
Why is ethnocentrism a transgenerational problem?
Within relation to enculturation, ethnocentrism is said to be a transgenerational problem since stereotypes and similar perspectives can be enforced and encouraged as time progresses. Although loyalty can increase better in-grouper approval, limited interactions with other cultures can prevent individuals to have an understanding and appreciation towards cultural differences resulting in greater ethnocentrism.
Who coined the term "ethnocentrism"?
Ludwig Gumplowicz, an Austrian sociologist, is credited with coining the term "ethnocentrism". The term was subsequently adopted by William G. Sumner, an American social scientist known for his classical liberal views.
When does ethnocentrism come into play?
Consumer ethnocentrism comes into play when people create groups of people, determined by the consumption of goods.
What did Sumner say about ethnocentricity?
Sumner stated that an ethnocentric lens often ended in vanity, contempt of outsiders, and pride, as well as the belief in one's own inherent superiority. The German-American anthropologist Franz Boas, as well as the Polish anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski, both emphasized the importance of the scientific community's triumph over ethnocentrism. Both men encouraged scientists to engage in ethnographic fieldwork with the aim of overcoming their ethnocentrism. Malinowski popularized the theory of functionalism (judging society as a whole) while Boas introduced the principle of cultural relativism (the belief that one's culture should only be judged by within their own) to offer scientists methods of conducting research that were less ethnocentric.
What is the American exceptionalism?
The term American exceptionalism was first used in 1831 by French political scientist Alexis de Tocqueville. Today, it can be used to describe the United States in three distinct ways: 1 The US is very unlike over countries found in the developed western world. This view has most likely been around since the time of the American Revolution, in the 1700s. It was then the idea of a unique American identity that was completely separate from its European counterparts was first born. 2 The idea that the US has a desire to shape the world to be more "American". This exists in the form of things like Manifest Destiny. 3 The idea that, because of their customs and belief systems, the US holds superiority over every other nation in the world. This is in itself close to the idea of ethnocentrism.
What is the view of religiocentrism?
Religiocentrism operates from the viewpoint that one's religion is more true, important, or valid than the religion of others.
When was the term "American exceptionalism" first used?
The term American exceptionalism was first used in 1831 by French political scientist Alexis de Tocqueville. Today, it can be used to describe the United States in three distinct ways:
Is afrocentrism a negative concept?
Unlike other types of ethnocentrism, many argue that Afrocentrism is not a negative concept, as many African voices and stories have in fact been silenced over recent centuries.
What is cultural relativism?
The view that behavior in one culture should not be judged by the standards of another. A problem can arise by taking this to the extreme. An extreme cultural relativist might contend that there is no superior, international or universal moraltiy -- if all cultures deserve equal respect.
What is cultural diversity?
The belief that all cultures are worthy and have equal value . Cultural Diversity: Universals. Refers to ways in which all people in all groups are the same. Examples: Running from a dangerous animal, eating regularly, regretting being the cause of an accident, feeling sad at the death of your mother.
What is cultural generalization?
Cultural Generalization. A helpful tool used as a general guide in anticipating and discussing cultural reactions, attitudes and behaviors in a neutral way. While these can be helpful in analyzing cultural patterns, it is understood that no generalizations will ever apply to everyone in a culture.
Why are generalizations used in intercultural communication?
In intercultural communication, generalizations are used as a shorthand way to make non-judgmental cross-cultural comparisons, not to oversimplify or deny the complexity of social interaction.
What is ethnocentrism in culture?
Ethnocentrism is often a judgment that we make based on our own culture, we tend to believe that what we practice in our own culture is right, as opposed to the practices of the other cultures, it is a kind of cultural relativism where we are comparing our own culture to the other while at the same time keeping the focus on our own culture.
What is the practice of ethnocentrism?
by Aishani Menon. Ethnocentrism is the practice where we tend to believe that our own culture, ethnic group, race, etc. are superior to others. Such a belief develops out of socialization, which provides us the knowledge of the existence of different cultures, and that of our own, what these cultures entail, what is normal, what is different, ...
What is the difference between Xenocentrism and Ethnocentrism?
Difference between Ethnocentrism and Xenocentrism. Ethnocentrism means The tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one’s own traditional, deferred, or adoptive ethnic culture, while Xenocentrism means a preference for the products, styles, or ideas of a different culture.
How does ethnocentrism affect the culture?
Ethnocentrism leads to the formation of feelings of ‘us’ and ‘them’ creating and enforcing the ideas of an in-group and an out-group, where the former will refer to the people of one’s own culture, and the latter to the people of another culture. This process will create the tendency of in-group favoritism or bias, as we are likely to favor our own culture and thus accept the cultural practices of our own culture as opposed to that of the other. E.g. when we judge the taste of the Chinese in eating insects, as ‘gross’ or ‘disgusting’ simply because we are not used to eating such food we are automatically implying that, the food choices or practice of our own culture is more normal than theirs and thus it is better and not ‘disgusting’.
Is ethnocentrism a good idea?
While ethnocentrism is a good promoter of a group solidarity or we feeling, on of the major drawbacks for it is the fact that, when we label another group as them and their practices as not normal, we tend to not cooperate with these groups as doing so would require us to compromise on our own culture. Ethnocentrism lies in contrast ...
Overview
Ethnocentrism in social science and anthropology—as well as in colloquial English discourse—means to apply one's own culture or ethnicity as a frame of reference to judge other cultures, practices, behaviors, beliefs, and people, instead of using the standards of the particular culture involved. Since this judgment is often negative, some people also use the term to refer to the belie…
Origins and development
The term ethnocentrism derives from two Greek words: "ethnos", meaning nation, and "kentron", meaning center. Scholars believe this term was coined by Polish sociologist Ludwig Gumplowicz in the 19th century, although alternate theories suggest that he only popularized the concept as opposed to inventing it. He saw ethnocentrism as a phenomenon similar to the delusions of geocentrism and anthropocentrism, defining Ethnocentrism as "the reasons by virtue of which ea…
Ethnocentrism in social sciences
In social sciences, ethnocentrism means to judge another culture based on the standard of one's own culture instead of the standard of the other particular culture. When people use their own culture as a parameter to measure other cultures, they often tend to think that their culture is superior and see other cultures as inferior and bizarre. Ethnocentrism can be explained at different le…
Anthropology
The classifications of ethnocentrism originate from the studies of anthropology. With its omnipresence throughout history, ethnocentrism has always been a factor in how different cultures and groups related to one another. Examples including how historically, foreigners would be characterized as "Barbarians", or how China believed their nation to be the "Empire of the Center" and viewed foreigners as privileged subordinates. However, the anthropocentric interpre…
Causes
Ethnocentrism is believed to be a learned behavior embedded into a variety of beliefs and values of an individual or group.
Due to enculturation, individuals in in-groups have a deeper sense of loyalty and are more likely to following the norms and develop relationships with associated members. Within relation to enculturation, ethnocentrism is said to be a transgenerational problem since stereotypes and si…
Effects
A study in New Zealand was used to compare how individuals associate with in-groups and out-groupers and has a connotation to discrimination. Strong in-group favoritism benefits the dominant groups and is different from out-group hostility and/or punishment. A suggested solution is to limit the perceived threat from the out-group that also decreases the likeliness for those supporting the in-groups to negatively react.
Ethnocentrism and racism
Ethnocentrism is usually associated with racism. However, as mentioned before, ethnocentrism does not necessarily implicate a negative connotation. In European research the term racism is not linked to ethnocentrism because Europeans avoid applying the concept of race to humans; meanwhile, using this term is not a problem for American researchers. Since ethnocentrism implicated a strong identification with one's in-group, it mostly automatically leads to negative fe…
Effects of ethnocentrism in the media
Mass media plays an important role in our current society. We are constantly exposed to media content every day. Researchers had found that ethnocentrism is dysfunctional in communication and similar fields because the lack of acceptance of other cultures leads to the creation of barriers for people of different backgrounds to interact with each other. The presence of ethnocentri…