ethnocentric

American  

[eth-noh-sen-trik] / ˌɛθ noʊˈsɛn trɪk /

adjective

1. Sociology. demonstrating a belief in the inherent superiority of one’s own ethnic group or culture.

   Sadly, an ethnocentric macho attitude is often mistaken for patriotism.

2. viewing other ethnic or cultural groups through the lens of one’s own.

   Diversity of cultures helps to liberate us from the tunnel vision of an ethnocentric viewpoint.

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Other Word Forms

• ethnocentrically adverb
• ethnocentricity noun

Etymology

Origin of ethnocentric

ethno- ( def. ) + -centric ( def. )

Example Sentences

Arguably the most problematic of these ethnocentric myths involves what’s often called the most important invention of the last millennium: the celebration of Germany’s Johannes Gutenberg as the inventor of movable metal type.

From Seattle Times

Most important, the Mission San Gabriel Museum confronted its historically ethnocentric perspective.

From Los Angeles Times

Altogether, by adopting the cultural neuroscience approach, we may keep our cultural preconceptions and biases at bay, thereby making our science less ethnocentric.

From Scientific American

Definitions are critical here: Any group or individual can be prejudiced, bigoted, hateful, ethnocentric, nativist or otherwise intolerant.

From Salon

The way we perceive the timing is very ethnocentric.

From Los Angeles Times