Question

How do ethnocentrism and discrimination relate to one another? Is it possible to be ethnocentric but not engage in discrimination?

Answer 1

Discrimination has always been prevalent in the social world. We hold irrational opinions about members belonging to another group and any behaviours that stem from this prejudice towards this other group is discrimination.Prejudice

While prejudices can be both positive and negative, discrimination is primarily negative and often, we find that discriminating behaviour is done to protect oneself or ones group by preserving opportunities and denying access to others.

Among some common factors that cause prejudice and discriminatory behaviour are conforming behaviours, economic benefits, Socialization, authoritarian personalities, and ethnocentrism

"Ethnocentrism is the tendency to evaluate others' cultures by one's own cultural norms and values." It is the belief that ones one group is better than others in every manner and tends to compare other groups negatively using their own group as a benchmark. While there are positive effects of ethnocentrism such a increased sense of nationalism and patriotism, it takes a negative turn when it becomes highly exclusive and thereby refusing to accept the needs and rights of other groups as being on par with their own(Kendall, 2011). Such high levels of ethnocentrism can lead to discriminatory behaviour. However, it is also possible that although one can believe that their group/ community is better, it does not always, in fact, lead to discriminatory behaviour.