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Ethnocentrism: the feeling that one's group has a mode of living, values, and patterns of adaptation that is superior to those of other groups. It is looking at the world as if one culture’s viewpoints are the most valid, and other culture’s beliefs are less sophisticated, making their choices and beliefs wrong. Individuals classified by ethnocentrism believe that the way they are, is better than anyone else’s. It shows a lot of the time in attitudes of supremacy and even antagonism.
Let’s take the Nazi’s for example. They abolished basic freedoms and sought to create a united community behind Hitler. In the first months of his chancellorship, Hitler began a concerted policy of "synchronization," forcing organizations, political parties, and state governments into line with Nazi goals and placing them under Nazi leadership. Culture, the economy, education, and law came under greater Nazi control. By July 1933, all parties in Germany were converted to the Nazi party. About 500 years earlier is when it all started. Take the Chinese or even the Native Americans for example. They had a lot of discriminatory beliefs. They just got settled into the areas they lived, and just simply believed there was no other right way to live. Races from all over the world had adapted to their area as well, so no one believed in doing things different. A lot of cultures still believe this way today.
Also, “ethnocentrism can be defined as: making false assumptions about others' ways based on our own limited experience.” notes Barger. Barger continues to say that the key word in that definition is “assumptions”. People make these beliefs merely on what they know, only because they don’t know anything else. I personally believe that many of the problems and conflicts that happen in society, whether it be nationally, worldly, or even personally has much to do with ethnocentric beliefs. A disagreement is believing that your right and the other person is wrong. So why are...