This term was first introduced by William Graham Sumner in his book ‘Folkways’ (1906). Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own group or culture is superior to others, with one’s own group and culture as central.

Definition of Ethnocentrism

William Graham Sumner- “Ethnocentrism is ” That view of things in which one’s own group is the centre of everything and all others are scaled and rated with reference to it .”

Laint and Keller – “The tendency to see one’s own way of life. including behaviour, beliefs, values, and norms, as the only right way of living”

William P. Scott –”An attitude of regarding one’s own culture or group as inherently superior.

Ethnocentrism This attitude can be found in various sub-groups within society, such as families, schools, colleges, political parties, and castes.

Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency to believe that one’s own society and culture is superior to all others. This belief includes the idea that one’s own way of life, including behavior, beliefs, values, and norms, is the true and right way to live, while other cultures are seen as inferior.

While not all societies have the same degree of ethnocentrism, the attitude of self-centeredness is present in most individuals to some extent.

In summary, ethnocentrism is beliefs that one’s own culture or group is superior to others, with one’s own group and culture as central.