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Ethnocentrism is discussed in “Ethnocentrism toward Foreign Culture in Elementary Social Studies” in which an experiment was performed on twenty-three fifth grade classrooms in public schools with student bodies in suburbs with above average income. This experimental investigation was intended to measure the level of ethnocentrism in these students, verify the reasons for student ethnocentrism, and what factors affect the improvement of ethnocentric ideologies in students. The experiment found that students with higher socioeconomic backgrounds, higher levels of intellect, and those exposed to positive feedback on the Eskimo culture (the culture the students were exposed to) from teachers. The results of the experiment found that a student’s level of dogmatism can be used to predict that student’s likelihood to hold ethnocentric views. The results also found that the main external influences on positively changing the attitude towards the other culture were based on teacher interactions. Teachers that spoke positively on the other culture’s behalf while also allowing the expression of negative attitudes as well as allowing students to describe why they had those views, had the highest number of students that changed their negative ethnocentric views. These results show that ethnocentrism is passed down to children by familiar elders (who shape a student’s principles which lead to their levels of dogmatism) and directly influenced by their teachers’ views. It is worth noting that the experiment also concluded that improved attitudes did not effect the children’s views on their own culture.

Globalization and Ethnocentrism

(See first “Globalization”)

With the the internet connecting billions of computers and smart devices on a global scale, a question of ethnocentrism and globalization begs to be answered. What is globalization’s effect on ethnocentrism? The article “Does Globalization Render People More Ethnocentric?”, finds that globalization has a reductive effect on ethnocentrism. Although this is the article’s conclusion, the author admits that the dataset used had to be set with a controlled timeline and multiple controlled variables. The timeline was set to post 9/11 and Pre-Great Recession, the other controls included: sex, age, level of education, and current economy. While the date used in this study is not wholly conclusive of the effect of globalization on ethnocentrism, it does help identify the polarization thesis (insert “Social Polarization” link) as the least applicable effect. “... the analyses suggest that people do not necessarily become hostile to other cultures even in the face of globalization.”(Machida, 2012)

Globalization through the web can also be used to spread ethnocentrism. “The Stereotypes of Muslims and Support for the War on Terror” discusses how Muslim stereotypes in America helped gain support for the war due to lessened sense of empathy after the 9/11 attacks. The study cites a 2004 American National Election Study to depict the level of “warmth” different American groups felt toward Muslims, the results showed that white, black, Hispanic and Asian Americans all felt a heightened sense of anger towards Muslims. The study also pulls data from the 2007 Cooperative Congressional Election Studies which results in Americans voting that Muslims are intelligent and hardworking but also leaned towards violent and untrustworthy. This matters because, as the article states, “... those with a negative overall view of Muslims should be more likely to support the War on Terror.”

A Theory of the Origin of Ethnic stratification discusses the role ethnocentrism plays in setting up systems of inequality in which the majority group benefits. Ethnocentrism is not victimless. In a society where there is unequal distribution of power based on the ethnic origin of citizens, ethnocentric beliefs can lead to anything from unfair treatment to life threatening actions. The article explains the cause of the origin of slavery in America, “We conclude that ethnocentrism, competition, and differential power provide a comprehensive explanation of the origin of slavery in the seventeenth century English colonies.”

The colonizers dehumanized the Africans far more than the Native Americans because of how much different they were. They became “the object of relatively intense ethnocentric rejection.” Due to the stark difference in appearance and culture. We still see examples today of this ethnocentric rejection and dehumanization. In the American Psychological Association article, Policing in black & white, it is stated by with citations to multiple studies over the years that Non-Black American police are biased towards black individuals. Some of the studies discussed conclude that unarmed black people are more likely to be shot, be handcuffed while not under arrest, and otherwise be subjected to Police force more often that white individuals. (Weir, 2016)

These prejudices are attributed to America’s history of racism and the stereotypes that arose due to times of higher inequality. “ There can be a lot of dehumanization that occurs in the conversations people have, and that’s explicit.” Says social psychologist John Dovidio, PhD, he adds that there can be a “paramilitary approach to law.. and sometimes adopt an “us-versus-them” attitude toward black communities…” (Weir, 2016)

The Ethnocentrism of the past may not be prominent today but there are still remnants of that past in America’s mind today.