Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism is the attribution of one’s own culture as the norm against which other cultures are judged. It involves evaluating other cultures by the values, beliefs, and practices of one’s own group, often accompanied by a sense of superiority or disdain. The term was popularized by American sociologist William Graham Sumner in the early 20th century.

Ethnocentrism arises from socialization, in-group identification, and the desire for social cohesion; it can promote group solidarity, order, and cooperative behavior within a community. It can also lead to bias, stereotyping, and discrimination against people outside the in-group, and may justify exclusion, coercion, or hostility.

In practice, ethnocentrism appears in everyday judgments about food, dress, language, religion, and family structures, and in institutional domains such as education, law, and immigration policy. Historically, ethnocentric attitudes have underpinned colonialism and nationalistic movements, sometimes leading to conflict.

Ethnocentrism is often contrasted with cultural relativism, which argues that cultures should be understood on their own terms rather than measured against a single standard. Researchers study ethnocentrism using surveys and behavioral experiments to assess in-group bias, prejudice, and attitudes toward other cultures.

See also: cultural relativism, xenophobia, nationalism, intercultural competence.