An individual with an ethnocentric view:
 Identifies strongly with in-group ethnicity, culture, etc.
 Feels proud, vain, superior about in-group
 Defines their culture elements as ‘correct’ & ‘natural’
 Thinks in-group norms are universal
 Rejects out-group ethnicities, cultures, etc.
 Feels like other ethnicities & cultures are inferior
 Xenophobia: a fear or hatred of persons of a different race, or
different ethnic or national origin
 American Exceptionalism: perception that US differs
from other developed nations because of its unique
origins, national credo, historical evolution, &
distinctive political & religious institutions; belief that
US is hope for humanity; moral superiority
Ethnocentrism occurs frequently here at home
Examples:
 Capitalism vs. Communism: for years, the US has
fought to end communism because they believe
capitalism trumps all
 Driving: Ethnocentric Americans say that driving on
the left side of the road is the ‘wrong side’ & that the
right side is the ‘correct side’
 Ethnocentric views lead to stereotyping
 Stereotype: generalizations about a group of people
whereby we attribute a defined set of characteristics to
this group; can be positive or negative
 Stereotypes are
assumed characteristics based
on a large group of individuals whose beliefs, habits,
and actions are similar.
 Education can help us overcome stereotypes.
All NASCAR fans are Hicks!
 True or false?
 All rap artists are uneducated, or all
rappers are “thugs”.
 True or false?
 All Muslims are terrorists.
 True or false?
 Stereotypes are
negative and often lead to
discrimination or oppression.