Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethnocentrism in Sociology

This paper evaluates the concept of ethnocentrism and focuses on its areas of advantages and disadvantages within the sociological domain. The advantages and disadvantages of ethnocentrism are relative. The paper discusses how ethnocentrism eliminates criticism of the social order, hinders intercultural associations, and creates hindrances in assimilation.

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Introduction
The concept of ethnocentrism was originally used by sociologists and anthropologists.
However eventually other disciplines have adopted and used it at an extensive range.
Nevertheless regardless of the wide usage ethnocentrism has been identified as an uncertain
concept which diverse open and conflicting usages. The concept of ethnocentrism is typically
united together or occasionally utilized interchangeably with concept such as prejudice racism
discrimination marginalization and xenophobia. Siamagka and Balabanis (2015) have stated that
similar to these related concepts ethnocentrism is regarded as an adverse phenomenon. The paper
will evaluate the concept of ethnocentrism and focus on its areas of advantages and
disadvantages within the sociological domain.
Discussion
Ethnocentrism has been a fertile and recognized concept across a variety of disciplines
which includes sociology political science anthropology philosophy education along with the
study of religion (Henslin et al., 2015). The conceptualization of ethnocentrism as preference is
integrated to the conceptualization of ethnocentrism as superiority. For example, authors have
noted that the perspective which exhibits that an individual's own way of life to be preferred to
all others. While ethnocentrism as superiority comprises objective connotation which relies on an
individual’s on culture to be objectively better than others it no centrism as a preference
primarily comprises of subjective connotations which depends on an individuals’ own culture to
be instinctively more important to the person in comparison to other cultures. Even though
Thompson, Hickey and Thompson (2016) did not explicitly distinguish between the two
connotations but one tend to distinctively exhibit certain preferences for an individual's culture

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without necessarily perceiving that one individual culture has utmost significance. An
ethnocentric behaviour may be advantageous for certain groups but concurrently may comprise
of certain disadvantages for the opponents (Heydari et al., 2014). For instance Sunnis and Shias
among Muslim community and Protestants and Catholics among the Christians are ethnocentric
in respect of their sects. As a result, Thompson, Hickey and Thompson (2016) have noted that
ethnocentrism would position these sects in an advantages position that is to have solidarity in
their groups and further sustain status quo. Members of the sects do not look upon this concept of
ethnocentrism as detrimental for them as they show inclination towards the propagation of their
own faith and conquer the majority. However disregarding these concerns in a particular sense
following are inserted advantages and disadvantages of ethnocentrism.
Advantages
Ethnocentrism eliminates criticism of the social order. Logan, Steel and Hunt (2015) have
stated that if individuals have the competence to realize that democracy is understood as the zone
of the most efficient political system of any nation. However there can be identified every
possibility whereby individuals may not take into account the importance of political system or
to criticize the prevailing order. drawing relevance to these evidences, Young, Haffejee and
Corsun, (2017) have noted that caste system in Indo Pakistan subcontinent has been
unimportance for centuries specifically because of the reason that individuals’ have been
socialized in that approach and have been instilled the sense of ethnocentrism in such a way that
any democratic attitude in this fear is considered as a great sin.
It should be taken into account that advantages and disadvantages of ethnocentrism are relative.

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Hinders inter cultural associations- Societies and groups can thrive through coexistence.
Logan, Steel and Hunt (2015) have stated that if one group tends to develop ethnocentric attitude
towards the other group then entire cultural relations cannot be sustained in an effective manner.
Create hindrances in assimilation- Assimilation is identified as a procedure of synthesis by
means of which individuals and groups attend the cultural patterns behaviour traditions attitudes
and ideas of other groups or individuals. As a consequence the process of incorporation can be
extended because of factors related to ethnocentrism (Young, Haffejee & Corsun, 2017).
Henslin et al.(2015) have noted that ethnocentrism has the propensity to obstruct the
pathway of development of human ideas, acculturation assimilation and dissemination of
religious knowledge teachings in addition to collective cooperation. Such an unity and
integration of varied societies show certain degree of complexities. However on the other side,
adequate understanding of varied culturally varied societies along with average personalities tend
to show complexities due to ethnocentric attitude prevailing among diverse cultural patterns
(Siamagka & Balabanis, 2015).
The implication of ethnocentrism can be viewed in the nature of race and ethnic issues in
every country even among the civilized and developed nations. It has significantly emerged as
one of the major social issues among the Western societies.
Conclusion
Hence to conclude, ethnocentrism often intensifies the level of frustration and
restlessness among the people of diverse groups varied cultural patterns and classes in such a
way that they tend to lose major proportion of their time potential and resources in unhealthy or
unconstructive activities.

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References
Henslin, J. M., Possamai, A. M., Possamai-Inesedy, A. L., Marjoribanks, T., & Elder, K.
(2015). Sociology: A down to earth approach. Pearson Higher Education AU.
Heydari, A., Teymoori, A., Haghish, E. F., & Mohamadi, B. (2014). Influential factors on
ethnocentrism: The effect of socioeconomic status, anomie, and authoritarianism. Social
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Logan, S., Steel, Z., & Hunt, C. (2015). Investigating the effect of anxiety, uncertainty and
ethnocentrism on willingness to interact in an intercultural communication. Journal of
Cross-Cultural Psychology, 46(1), 39-52.
Siamagka, N. T., & Balabanis, G. (2015). Revisiting consumer ethnocentrism: review,
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Young, C. A., Haffejee, B., & Corsun, D. L. (2017). The relationship between ethnocentrism and
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