Ethnocentrism is what?

Ethnocentrism is a fundamental concept according to which a certain nationality, race, social stratum or group is perceived as prevailing and far superior to all others. This point of view is characteristic of most communities, which are to some extent independent and independent of others.

These kinds of positions seem to be an absolutely natural attitude of people towards everything incomprehensible and alien to them. In this case, ethnocentrism is that by which one race or group identifies itself, retains its own cultural traits and determines its location among others.

As for the evaluation of this phenomenon, like any other social phenomenon, it can not be considered only with a positive or only negative side, a comprehensive approach is necessarily necessary.

From one perspective, ethnocentrism is something that quite often acts as an obstacle to the organization of conflict-free inter-group interaction. On the other hand, ethnocentrism is also a fact that ensures the maintenance of ethnic identity and the preservation of the uniqueness and integrity of the group. That is, under certain conditions, this phenomenon can be characterized in completely different ways. For example, cultural ethnocentrism as a logical consequence of the process of assimilating the traditions of a particular society or nation is absolutely positive. And we are talking here only about the assessment of the surrounding world through our own acquired filters, which are inherent in absolutely every person.

Separately it is worth noting that this socio-psychological phenomenon can cause in society both positive social consequences, such as a sense of national unity and patriotism, and negative.

The main examples of ethnocentrism, which has negative features in it, are nationalism, chauvinism and discrimination. One of the most extreme varieties of this phenomenon is racism, defined as a set of judgments, according to which a certain race surpasses all others both mentally and morally and culturally, and the super-qualities inherent in its carriers are transmitted exclusively by inheritance. According to this example, ethnocentrism is what is the ideological basis and stimulator in the struggle for power and influence between different nations. Proponents of racism oppose the confusion of races, because, in their opinion, this can lead to genetic, moral and cultural degradation of the "higher" race.

In conclusion, it should be noted that all people are ethnocentric to one degree or another, therefore every person who realizes this must learn to develop flexibility and understanding in relation to other people. This is achieved through the development of positive perception, intercultural competence and the ability to establish interaction with representatives of different races and cultures.