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15. Ethnocentrism and intercultural communication

  • James W. Neuliep
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Intercultural Communication
This chapter is in the book Intercultural Communication

Abstract

This chapter points out that a central theoretical concept in understanding intergroup relations and intercultural communication is ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is defined as the degree to which persons use the customs and values of their native culture as the barometer to evaluate and judge other cultures. Ethnocentric persons hold attitudes and behaviors toward ingroups that are biased in favor of the ingroup, often at the expense of the outgroup. Attitudinally, ethnocentric persons see the ingroup as superior to outgroups. Behaviorally, ethnocentric persons foster cooperative relations with ingroup members while competing with, and perhaps even battling, with outgroup members. Although ethnocentrism is generally thought to be a negative trait, ethnocentrism fosters ingroup survival, solidarity, conformity, cooperation, loyalty, and effectiveness. This chapter traces the history of the research associated with ethnocentrism, the measurement of ethnocentrism, current theory and research trends in the area, and the challenges associated with studying ethnocentrism.

Abstract

This chapter points out that a central theoretical concept in understanding intergroup relations and intercultural communication is ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is defined as the degree to which persons use the customs and values of their native culture as the barometer to evaluate and judge other cultures. Ethnocentric persons hold attitudes and behaviors toward ingroups that are biased in favor of the ingroup, often at the expense of the outgroup. Attitudinally, ethnocentric persons see the ingroup as superior to outgroups. Behaviorally, ethnocentric persons foster cooperative relations with ingroup members while competing with, and perhaps even battling, with outgroup members. Although ethnocentrism is generally thought to be a negative trait, ethnocentrism fosters ingroup survival, solidarity, conformity, cooperation, loyalty, and effectiveness. This chapter traces the history of the research associated with ethnocentrism, the measurement of ethnocentrism, current theory and research trends in the area, and the challenges associated with studying ethnocentrism.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Preface to Handbooks of Communication Science series v
  3. Contents ix
  4. 1. Cultures, communication, and contexts of intercultural communication 1
  5. Part I. History, perspectives and theories
  6. 2. Murky waters: Histories of intercultural communication research 19
  7. 3. Theoretical perspectives on communication and cultures 45
  8. 4. Non-Western theories of communication: Indigenous ideas and insights 67
  9. 5. Issues in intercultural communication: A semantic network analysis 99
  10. 6. Cultural communication: Advancing understanding in a multi-cultural world 119
  11. Part II. Cross cultural comparison
  12. 7. Multifaceted identity approaches and cross-cultural communication styles: Selective overview and future directions 141
  13. 8. Verbal communication across cultures 179
  14. 9. Interpersonal communication and relationships across cultures 199
  15. 10. Emotion display and expression 219
  16. 11. A cultured look at nonverbal cues 239
  17. 12. What’s past is prologue: Lessons from conflict, communication, and culture research from half a century ago 261
  18. 13. Aging and communication across cultures 289
  19. 14. Culture-centered communication and social change: Listening and participation to transform communication inequalities 309
  20. Part III. Intercultural encounter
  21. 15. Ethnocentrism and intercultural communication 331
  22. 16. Issues in the conceptualization of intercultural communication competence 349
  23. 17. Intergroup communication 369
  24. 18. Interethnic communication: An interdisciplinary overview 389
  25. 19. Experience and cultural learning in global business contexts 415
  26. 20. Cross-cultural adaptation: An identity approach 437
  27. 21. Intercultural friendship and communication 457
  28. 22. Exploring intercultural communication problems in health care with a communication accommodation competence approach 481
  29. Part IV. Interactions and exchange between cultures
  30. 23. Cross-border mediated messages 503
  31. 24. Stereotyping and Communication 529
  32. 25. Translation as intercultural communication: Survey and analysis 563
  33. 26. Consuming nations − Brand nationality in the global marketplace: A Review 581
  34. 27. Intercultural communication in the world of business 597
  35. 28. Intercultural new media studies: Still the next frontier in intercultural communication 617
  36. Biographical notes 637
  37. Index 649
https://doi.org/10.1515/9781501500060-015

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Preface to Handbooks of Communication Science series v
  3. Contents ix
  4. 1. Cultures, communication, and contexts of intercultural communication 1
  5. Part I. History, perspectives and theories
  6. 2. Murky waters: Histories of intercultural communication research 19
  7. 3. Theoretical perspectives on communication and cultures 45
  8. 4. Non-Western theories of communication: Indigenous ideas and insights 67
  9. 5. Issues in intercultural communication: A semantic network analysis 99
  10. 6. Cultural communication: Advancing understanding in a multi-cultural world 119
  11. Part II. Cross cultural comparison
  12. 7. Multifaceted identity approaches and cross-cultural communication styles: Selective overview and future directions 141
  13. 8. Verbal communication across cultures 179
  14. 9. Interpersonal communication and relationships across cultures 199
  15. 10. Emotion display and expression 219
  16. 11. A cultured look at nonverbal cues 239
  17. 12. What’s past is prologue: Lessons from conflict, communication, and culture research from half a century ago 261
  18. 13. Aging and communication across cultures 289
  19. 14. Culture-centered communication and social change: Listening and participation to transform communication inequalities 309
  20. Part III. Intercultural encounter
  21. 15. Ethnocentrism and intercultural communication 331
  22. 16. Issues in the conceptualization of intercultural communication competence 349
  23. 17. Intergroup communication 369
  24. 18. Interethnic communication: An interdisciplinary overview 389
  25. 19. Experience and cultural learning in global business contexts 415
  26. 20. Cross-cultural adaptation: An identity approach 437
  27. 21. Intercultural friendship and communication 457
  28. 22. Exploring intercultural communication problems in health care with a communication accommodation competence approach 481
  29. Part IV. Interactions and exchange between cultures
  30. 23. Cross-border mediated messages 503
  31. 24. Stereotyping and Communication 529
  32. 25. Translation as intercultural communication: Survey and analysis 563
  33. 26. Consuming nations − Brand nationality in the global marketplace: A Review 581
  34. 27. Intercultural communication in the world of business 597
  35. 28. Intercultural new media studies: Still the next frontier in intercultural communication 617
  36. Biographical notes 637
  37. Index 649
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