Ethnocentrism describes the tendency to view one’s own culture as central and therefore often superior. It involves a preference for one’s own culture – whether based on nation, ethnicity, or religion – and using it as a benchmark to judge others. This can often lead to suspicion and hostility towards other cultures (Keith, 2019). The text that follows gives examples of discrimination based on race. There are also examples of discrimination leading towards, on an individual level, violence, and on a group level, genocide.
Framing & Perspectives
Researchers have long debated whether ethnocentrism is biologically ingrained or primarily a result of cultural socialization and if this tendency can be minimized. Some argue that it may stem from evolutionary mechanisms to support group survival and cohesion (Thayer, 2004, as cited in Keith, 2019). Research links also ethnocentrism with traits such as narcissism (Bizumic & Duckitt, 2008), religious fundamentalism (McCleary et al., 2011; Hasnain, 2007), intolerance for ambiguity (Block & Block, 1951; Cargile, 2013), and authoritarianism (Thomas, 1975).
Conversely, ethnocentrism can also develop through enculturation, where children internalize the values and norms of their culture which they later use as a lens through which they view other cultures (Keith, 2019). One example is whether the child was raised in an individualist or collectivist culture. Parental characteristics and upbringing styles are also influential; for example, parents who employ moderately punitive disciplinary approaches are more likely to have children who adopt their ethnocentric attitudes (Epstein & Komorita, 1966). This indicates a complex interplay of biological predispositions, individual and social factors in shaping ethnocentric tendencies in people.
Relevance
Even though ethnocentrism may provide certain advantages, such as fostering unity within a group by promoting shared values, research has mostly highlighted its negative sides which can be less or more harmful in their effects. Judging the traditions of other cultures to be strange or out of place is a common example of ethnocentrism. There have also been reports of more negative consequences. According to Pratto & Glasford (2008), ethnocentrism can cause people to prioritize the lives of their own national group over those of groups they perceive to be adversaries, particularly when there is competition. This preference remains strong even when large numbers of lives are at stake or when both civilians and combatants are considered.
However, it is important to mention that ethnocentrism does not only operate on an individual level but also structurally, reinforcing power dynamics and biases across society. As Daniel (2011) writes “When ethnocentric feeling gets both legal and religious backings, it can lead to senseless ethnic cleansing and genocide” (p. 9). The Holocaust history stands as an example of how institutionalized ethnocentrism can lead to catastrophic consequences. Ethnocentrism can also manifest in “white feminism” which emphasizes the issues of white, middle-class women and neglects to include diverse experiences and intersectional identities in the feminist agenda (Borah et al., 2023). Research indicates that educational experiences focused on cross-cultural topics, as well as intergroup exposure can help reduce ethnocentrism (Pettijohn & Naples, 2009; Borden, 2007).
Keywords: Cultural Psychology, Cultural Socialization, Cultural Superiority, White Feminism, Cultural Training
Connected terms: Xenophobia, Whitewashing, Linguistic Imperialism, White Defensiveness, White Fragility
References
Bizumic, B., & Duckitt, J. (2008). My group is not worthy of me: Narcissism and ethnocentrism. Political Psychology, 29(3), 437-453. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9221.2008.00638.x
Block, J., & Block, J. (1951). An investigation of the relationship between intolerance of ambiguity and ethnocentrism. Journal of Personality, 19, 303–311. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1951.tb01104.x
Borah, P., Ghosh, S., Suk, J., Mini, D. S., & Sun, L. (2023). Feminism not for all? The discourse around White feminism across five social media platforms. Social Media+ Society, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051231186862
Borden, A. W. (2007). The impact of service-learning on ethnocentrism in an intercultural communication course. Journal of Experiential Education, 30(2), 171-183. https://doi.org/10.1177/105382590703000206
Cargile, A. C., & Bolkan, S. (2013). Mitigating inter-and intra-group ethnocentrism: Comparing the effects of culture knowledge, exposure, and uncertainty intolerance. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 37(3), 345-353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2012.12.002
Daniel, K. (2011). Historical manifestation of ethnocentrism and its challenges today. International Journal of Applied Sociology, 1(1), 8–14.
Epstein, R., & Komorita, S. S. (1966). Childhood prejudice as a function of parental ethnocentrism, punitiveness, and outgroup characteristics. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 3, 259–264. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0023021
Hasnain, N. (2007). Does religiousness promote prejudice and ethnocentrism? Psychological Studies, 52(2), 123–125.
Keith, K. D. (2019). Ethnocentrism: Seeing the world from where we stand. In K. D. Keith (Ed.), Cross-cultural psychology: Contemporary themes and perspectives (2nd ed., pp. 23–38). Wiley Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119519348.ch2
McCleary, D. F., Quillivan, C. C., Foster, L. N., & Williams, R. L. (2011). Meta‐analysis of correlational relationships between perspectives of truth in religion and major psychological constructs. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 3, 163–180. http://doi.org/10.1037/a0022208
Pettijohn II, T. F., & Naples, G. M. (2009). Reducing ethnocentrism in US college students by completing a cross-cultural psychology course. The Open Social Science Journal, 2(1). 1-11
Pratto, F., & Glasford, D. E. (2008). Ethnocentrism and the value of a human life. Journal of personality and social psychology, 95(6), 1411.
Thomas, D. R. (1975). Authoritarianism, child‐rearing practices and ethnocentrism in seven Pacific Islands groups. International Journal of Psychology, 10(4), 235–246. http://doi.org/10.1080/00207597508247335
