ethnocentrism
Definition
Ethnocentrism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture over others. It often involves judging other cultures by the standards and values of one's own culture.
Analogy
Imagine wearing blue-tinted sunglasses all the time, and insisting everything is better with a blue hue, even when you’re looking at a rainbow. Just like those sunglasses make it hard to see all colors accurately, ethnocentrism limits our ability to appreciate the full spectrum of cultural practices and values.
Related terms
Culture: The sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings, which is transmitted from one generation to another.
Cultural relativism: The principle that an individual's beliefs and activities should be understood by others in terms of that individual's own culture, emphasizing an objective view without bias.
Xenophobia: An irrational fear or hatred of people from other countries or cultures, often tied to ethnocentric attitudes
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