Ethnocentrism: We are the bestSociety is built on the fact that everyone thinks that their opinions, culture, ideas and values ​​are better than those of others no matter anyone else in the world. No matter where a person comes from, they are ethnocentric in one way or another. People can even be ethnocentric because they believe that their country is better than any other country in the world. Some people think they can't connect with ethnocentrism, but the truth is they can. If a person believes that their religion is the only absolute path to truth and eternal happiness, then they are ethnocentric. Understanding what ethnocentrism is and how it affects the world around us can explain the positive and negative aspects that ethnocentrism creates. By definition, ethnocentrism is “the tendency to view other cultures through the eyes of one's own culture, and thereby distort them” (Giddens 72). Looking at another culture through your own means that you are not recognizing the culture as a whole, but comparing it to your own. When comparing cultures, everyone in a specific culture will think that their culture is superior to any other culture. Even if one culture is truly better than another culture, people from the inferior culture will still think that they have the better culture compared to the rest of the world. Being ethnocentric allows people to be proud of their culture, but also causes them to become closed-minded. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayBeing ethnocentric affects the way people perceive the world around them. Every culture in the world can learn something from a different culture. There are always better and more efficient ways to do something. However, if people are ethnocentric, they cannot accept the idea that a different culture can improve their way of life. If a country constantly offends another country because its people are extremely ethnocentric, the other country will be more resistant to wanting to do business or trade with that country. Ethnocentrisms can affect growth within different societies and cultures, but people do not recognize this. Just because a culture doesn't work for a certain group of people doesn't mean it doesn't work for another group of people. Having a closed mind prevents people from recognizing the different diversity of each society. Ethnocentrism also affects how people think other cultures can live in the same community. Every culture has something to offer society and people need to start opening their eyes and accepting it. Although the idea of ​​ethnocentrism is often perceived negatively, it nevertheless has positive effects on society. Ethnocentrism encourages patriotism. People will come together and bond over the simple act of loving the nation. More people buying into this idea will allow more things to be done with the goal of what is best for the nation as a whole. “It offers protection to group members by creating a sense of belonging among them. Members who are weak, poor, desperate and helpless are encouraged by joining hands with them. This means that it provides compensation to people of low status” (Fooraq). Having a sense of ethnocentrism allows people who normally wouldn't interact to bond. Creating connections with other people within a community makes a person feel like they belong and, 15(3), 67-84.