Etnocentrisme

Etnocentrisme, or ethnocentrism, is the practice of evaluating other cultures according to the standards of one’s own culture, often accompanied by the belief that one’s culture is superior or more normal than others. It can color judgments about beliefs, practices, and social norms and can lead to prejudice and discrimination when applied to groups perceived as different.

The term was popularized in anthropology by William Graham Sumner in the early 20th century, though the idea traces earlier in social thought. Ethnocentrism can be observed on everyday levels as in-group favoritism, as well as on larger scales, such as nationalism, colonialism, or religious intolerance. It ranges from mild bias to aggressive xenophobia and can influence policy, education, and intercultural relations.

Cultural relativism is widely cited as an antidote: it argues for understanding beliefs and practices in their own cultural context rather than measuring them by one’s own standards. Ethnocentrism is also linked to cognitive biases, social identity theory, and symbols of group belonging. While some argue that a shared culture offers cohesion and moral norms, ethnocentrism often obscures important human commonalities and can justify unequal power relations.

Reducing ethnocentrism involves education, cross-cultural contact, exposure to pluralistic perspectives, and policies that promote inclusion and critical reflection about one’s own assumptions. Recognizing the value of diverse viewpoints can foster mutual understanding while respecting cultural diversity.