ethnocentric

Ethnocentric is an adjective describing an orientation in which the values and standards of one's own culture or ethnic group are used as the baseline for judging others. An ethnocentric stance asserts that one's own group is central or superior to others, and it often treats other cultures as deviations from a norm. The concept is closely related to ethnocentrism, the belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group, and is widely discussed in anthropology, sociology, and intercultural studies.

The term and concept are used to describe a cognitive bias and a social attitude that can be conscious or unconscious. Ethnocentric perceptions arise from socialization, insularity, language, and exposure to diverse cultures. In academic analysis, ethnocentrism is contrasted with cultural relativism, which seeks to interpret beliefs and practices within their own cultural context rather than against a universal standard.

Ethnocentrism can reinforce group cohesion and identity but can also lead to prejudice, stereotyping, discrimination, and conflict when the beliefs are applied to other groups. In everyday life, ethnocentric judgments appear in evaluations of customs, food, religion, and social norms as superior or inferior.

Efforts to reduce ethnocentrism include education about cultural diversity, cross-cultural contact, perspective-taking, critical self-reflection, and intercultural training. These approaches aim to foster more accurate understanding, tolerance, and effective communication across cultures.