Analysis of Ethnocentrism: Its Effects and Societal Implications Essay

This essay provides an in-depth exploration of ethnocentrism, defining it as the practice of judging another culture based on the standards of one's own. The essay delves into the origins of the term, its characteristics, and its implications on societal dynamics. It highlights how ethnocentrism can lead to the perception of one's own culture as superior, often resulting in prejudice, racism, and conflict between different groups. The essay discusses both the positive aspects, such as encouraging solidarity, and the negative impacts, like hindering cooperation and limiting individual growth. It references various studies to support its arguments, emphasizing that ethnocentrism is a learned behavior that affects individuals globally. The essay concludes by summarizing the key points and reiterating the complex role ethnocentrism plays in shaping cultural boundaries and social interactions.

Running head: ETHNOCENTRISM
Ethnocentrism
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note

1ETHNOCENTRISM
Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism is closely related to cultural relativism (refer to link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9imf2B_u_jI). It is the practice of comparing one’s one
cultural practices with those of others (Van der Geest, 2014). It is basically meant to judge
other’s culture by comparing by the values and standards of one’s own culture (refer to link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-S-lQH9Fpg). The ethnocentric individuals
automatically find their culture as superior and other’s culture as inferior. The basis for the
judgement is generally religion, behaviour, language and custom. The main purpose of the
distinctions and subdivision is to define the unique cultural identity of each ethnicity.
The words Ethnocentrism itself means grouping of a culture to the centre. It is a
means by virtue of which people believe that they have been granted the highest position not
only among the people of present condition but also in comparison to the people belonging to
the history. The term was composed by Ludwig Gumplowicz and later was further employed
by William G. Sumner. It was characterised as leading to the belief of superiority of one’s

2ETHNOCENTRISM
culture and contempt of the other. It often leads to pride and vanity among the members of
the particular group.
Ethnocentrism is considered as the major reason for the division among the members
belonging to different groups, religion, races or ethnicity in a particular society (Clayton,
2014). It is a global human reaction which is found not only in societies but also in all
individuals. This characteristic is learnt by the individuals as they grow up and is not inborn.
Ethnocentric individuals generally have the tendency of giving superiority to one’s culture in
terms of religion, language and behaviour (refer to link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=nevjyUjhfsE).
Ethnocentrism is generally meant to maintain those orders which are not social but
more apparent. It discourages change but negatively provides continuance of the particular
status (Cargile & Bolkan, 2013). Ethnocentric individuals believe that the culture followed by
them is the best and when they interact with the people of other culture they find that those
cultures and traditions are not appropriate. This leads to hindrance in adopting and
understanding the culture of other groups. It also incorporates the feeling of hostility,
suspicion and disdain (Njoroge & Kirori, 2014).

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Ethnocentrism may be subtle or it may be overt. However, in human psychology it is
generally taken as a negative connotation. Ethnocentric individuals have a belief that their
culture is better than other cultures and the reason for such belief is based only on the
heritage that they possess. Moreover, these believes gives rise to racism and prejudice among
the people of other culture (Maxwell & Parent, 2013). It often leads to conflict among
different culture which leads to social change and ethnocentrism acts as a vehicle for
promoting such changes. It occurs not only in local levels but also in political level.
Ethnocentrism has positive as well as negative impacts on the society (refer to link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUabgCxFnjs). The positive effect includes
encouraging the solidarity in the society as well as in groups and in the long run builds
stronger co-operation among the members of the society (Ridzuan, 2016). It also creates a
sense of belonging among the group members and provides protection to them. However, it
limits an individual to only the group to which he/ she belongs and is unacquainted with the
changes taking place in the society. Hence, people remain backward as he/ she adopts little
changes.

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Thus, with the above discussion it is clear that ethnocentrism creates boundaries
among various groups. It gets developed within an individual as he/ she grows up. The
ethnocentric people tend to give superiority to their culture and condemn other’s culture. It
also hampers the co-operation among the other groups and leads to the creation of racism and
prejudice.

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References:
Cargile, A. C., & Bolkan, S. (2013). Mitigating inter-and intra-group ethnocentrism:
Comparing the effects of culture knowledge, exposure, and uncertainty
intolerance. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 37(3), 345-353.
Clayton, P. (2014). Religion, ethnicity and colonialism as explanations of the Northern
Ireland conflict. Rethinking Northern Ireland: Culture, Ideology and Colonialism, 40.
Maxwell, A., & Parent, T. W. (2013). A “subterranean agenda”? Racial attitudes, presidential
evaluations, and Tea Party membership. Race and Social Problems, 5(3), 226-237.
Njoroge, M. W., & Kirori, G. N. (2014). Ethnocentrism: Significance and effects on Kenyan
society. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 8(9), 356.
Ridzuan, a. R. B. H. (2016). Mediating effect of ethnocentrism on relationship between social
networking site factors and social solidarity.
Van der Geest, S. (2014). Overcoming ethnocentrism: how social science and medicine relate
and should relate to one another. The Concept of Race" in Natural and Social
Science", 173.