What is Ethnocentrism?

The particular behaviors of a group of people, their attitudes, and their customary traits combine to characterize culture (Newman, 2014). Understanding one’s own culture is a good thing, but it leads to destruction when individuals—especially in the workplace—begin to think that their culture is superior to others. That is what Barger (2014) refers to as ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is evident when individuals judge other groups as inferior based on the differences between cultures. It is our own limited experience with other cultures that causes us to make false assumptions about the culture and the ways of other people. Having such an attitude hinders understanding, communication, and good intentions among business partners. Read more about ethnocentrism from Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis athttp://www.iupui.edu/~anthkb/ethnocen.htm.
Intercultural communication is becoming increasingly important, and all business communicators must acquire the necessary skills in order to be successful in this area. In a global marketplace, communicators will need to become aware of their own culture and how it differs from others. Business communicators must be able to overcome obstacles such as misunderstandings stemming from cultural differences. In the intercultural global marketplace of tomorrow (and possibly even today), employers, coworkers, and clients may be individuals from other cultures and other countries.

References
Barger, K. (2014). Ethnocentrism: What is it? Why are people ethnocentric? What is the problem? What can we do about it? Recognition and control of ethnocentrism as a basic methodology for understanding ethnic behavior…both our own and others. Indiana University Purdue University—Indianapolis. [Web site]. Retrieved from http://www.iupui.edu/~anthkb/ethnocen.htm
Newman, A. (2014). Business communication: In print, in person, online (9th ed.). Independence, KY: Cengage Learning.