etnosentrisme

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own ethnic group or culture is superior to others, and the tendency to evaluate other cultures by the standards of one’s own. The term combines Greek ethnos, meaning “nation,” and kentron, meaning “center,” and was popularized by William Graham Sumner in 1906 in Folkways, where he defined ethnocentrism as the view that one’s own group is the center of everything and other groups are measured against it. It can be expressed in attitudes, language, stereotypes, and institutions, influencing social inclusion, policy, and intercultural relations.

Mechanisms and manifestations include in-group favoritism, cultural essentialism, and social norms that reinforce these views. Ethnocentrism can contribute to group cohesion and identity, but it often leads to prejudice, discrimination, and conflict when applied to out-groups or used to justify unequal treatment.

Measurement and study of ethnocentrism rely on surveys, experiments, and qualitative observation. Indicators look at judgments about the superiority of one’s own culture, willingness to interact with or accept members of other groups, and the extent to which cultural differences are perceived as a threat.

Relation to other concepts: Ethnocentrism contrasts with cultural relativism, which urges understanding cultures on their own terms. In intercultural competence, the opposing idea is ethnorelativism, recognizing multiple valid worldviews. Ethnocentrism is frequently discussed in connection with nationalism, xenophobia, and colonial or imperial histories.

Critique and nuance: Some scholars view ethnocentrism as a normal feature of social identity, while others see it as a barrier to human rights and global cooperation. Analyses emphasize the role of power, context, and socialization in shaping its expression.