sample presentation

1. Investigating factors that
impact willingness
to engage in intercultural
communication:
ethnocentrism
Grazina Ciuladiene
Assoc. prof.
Human and Social Studies Faculty, Institute of Communication
grazina.ciuladiene@mruni.eu
Learning about our cultures
and traditions for a peaceful world
Sustainable relations and dialogues within Eurasia
Community in a post Covid-19 word

2. a better understanding of the
status of ethnocentrism will be
provided
Investigation of the levels of own
ethnocentrism will be employed
the results of Lithuanian
students’ levels of ethnocentrism
will be provided
Outcomes
Learning about our cultures
and traditions for a peaceful world

3. We are located in
the centre of
Europe
Geographical
of Europe – 26 km
north of Vilnius
(1989)
LITHUANIA
Population: 2 847
904 (2017).
Geographical size:
65 286 km2
EU border country
on a shore of the
Baltic Sea
Neighbouring with
Latvia, Belarus,
Poland and Russia
Official language –
Lithuanian –

5. LITHUANIA

6. Lithuanian
• belongs to the family of Baltic languages
• Is a very old language. It is considered to be the
oldest surviving Indo-European language.
Lithuanian Sanskrit English
Sūnus Sunus Son
Vyras Vira Man
Avis Avis Sheep
dūmas Dhumas Smoke
padas Padas Sole
ugnis Agnis Fire

7. Lithuanian (1)
• Today, only about 3 million people speak Lithuanian, making it
one of the least common languages in Europe.
• Lithuanian is special because of that fact that it survived at all.
Middle Ages Lithuanian was not even an official state language
XVI- XVIII
UNION WITH POLAND
(1569-1795)
the elite of Lithuania had essentially adopted Polish language and culture
RUSSIAN EMPIRE
(1795-1914)
one could only use Cyrillic for writing Lithuanian
Short period of Lithuanian
independence (1918-1941)
Lithuanian was provided with all the conditions to thrive
Soviet Union period Russification period
Lithuanian interdependence
1991-now)
Lithuanian is the only official state language of the Republic of Lithuania
(and from 2004 one of the official languages of the European Union

8. Lithuania is the
only country that
has erected a
monument to
book smugglers
Interesting fact

9. Interesting fact: You can determine if a woman is
married by her last name
- YTĖ ; - AITĖ
- IENĖ

10. Interesting fact
• Lithuanian names are often linked to nature

11. MYKOLAS ROMERIS UNIVERSITY
is social sciences specialized university whose studies and research areas are educational
science, economics, humanities, communications, politics, psychology, sociology, and
management.
University has about 7 500 students.
There are 21 MRU studies programs implemented
in English in both the first and the second cycle of
studies.
These Faculties operate at the University: Law
School, Public Security Academy, Faculty of
Human and Social Studies, Facult of Public
Governance and Business

12. Ethnocentrism
• we are born ethnocentric
The process of socialization within a
circle of relationships, a community, and
ultimately a culture, results in
enculturation and ethnocentrism.

13. ETHNOCENTRISM
is defined as an attitude according to which one’s
own ethnic group is placed in the centre.

14. Ignorance of
cultural differences
Differences are seen
as a threat to the
person’s identity
Denial
of ethnic
differenc
es
Defe
nce
Minimi
sing
STAGES OF ETHNOCENTRISM
(Bennett, 1993)
Although differences
among cultures re
noticed, attempts
are made to
minimise their
importance

15. Executive Team
The roadmap developed for the
executive team aims to secure buy-in
for the product vision
ETHNOCENTRISM
Ethnocentrism is universal and built into all cultures’
communication systems and value orientations. Some
degree of ethnocentrism is needed for wellbeing, for
building a sense of identity and self-esteem, and for
avoiding anomie. In contrast, high levels of
ethnocentrism are considered to be harmful because
other groups are seen less worthy, potentially to
discrimination and prejudice (Goncz, 2018).

16. Self-assessment. GENE scale: 22 statements
5 STRONLY AGREE
4 AGREE
3 ARE NEUTRAL
2 DISAGREE
1 STRONGLY
DISAGREE
1. _____ Most other cultures are backward compared to my culture
2. _____ My culture should be the role model for other cultures.
3. _____ People from other cultures act strange when they come into my culture.
4. _____ Lifestyles in other cultures are just as valid as those in my culture.
5. _____ Other cultures should try to be more like my culture.
6. _____ I’m not interested in the values and customs of other cultures.
7. _____ People in my culture could learn a lot from people of other cultures.
8. _____ Most people from other cultures just don’t know what’s good for them.
9. _____ I respect the values and customs of other cultures.
10. _____ Other cultures are smart to look up to our culture

17. Self-assessment. GENE scale: 22 statements
5 STRONLY AGREE 4 AGREE 3 ARE NEUTRAL 2 DISAGREE 1 STRONGLY DISAGREE
11. _____ Most people would be happier if they lived like people in my culture.
12. _____ I have many friends from other cultures.
13. _____ People in my culture have just about the best lifestyles of anywhere.
14. _____ Lifestyles in other cultures are not as valid as those in my culture.
15. _____ I’m very interested in the values and customs of other cultures.
16. _____ I apply my values when judging people who are different.
17. _____ I see people who are similar to me as virtuous.
18. _____ I do not cooperate with people who are different.
19. _____ Most people in my culture just don’t know what is good for them.
20. _____ I do not trust people who are different.
21. _____ I dislike interacting with people from different cultures.
22. _____ I have little respect for the values and customs of other cultures.

18. Step 1: Add your responses to scale items 4, 7, and 9.
Step 2: Add your responses to scale items 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14,
18, 20, 21, and 22.
Step 3: Subtract the sum from Step 1 from 18 (i.e., 18 minus Step 1 sum).
Step 4: Add the results of Step 2 and Step 3.
This sum is your generalized ethno-centrism score. Higher scores indicate higher ethnocentrism. Scores above 55
are considered high ethnocentrism.

19. Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism forms the basis for
patriotism and the willingness to
sacrifice for one’s central ingroup.
Ethnocentrism may result in
prejudice, discrimination, and
even ethnic cleaning.

20. Ethnocentrism obstructs inter-cultural
relations
ETHNOCENTRIC ATTRIBUTIONAL BIAS
(Taylor and Jaggi, 1974)

21. ETHNOCENTRISM AND COMMUNICATION
Ethnocentric people seem to be unwilling to have intercultural communication (Logan, Steel, & Hunt, 2015).

22. ethnocentrism leads to ‘‘self-centered
dialogue’’
A higher level of ethnocentrism reflects a lower level of intercultural competence (Bennett, 2004)

23. Executive Team
The roadmap developed for the
executive team aims to secure buy-in
for the product vision
as cultural competence increases, ethnocentrism decreases, or as
ethnocentrism increases, cultural competence decreases.
• Ethnocentrism negatively influences intercultural
communication and especially one’s motivation to
interactant with person from different cultures.

24. Ethnocentrism
LOW
HIGH
MODERATE
45 55

25. Levels of Ethnocentrism: servey of Lithuanian
students
LOW HIGH
MODERATE
45 55
Participants: N  115
Mean
30,28

26. 3rd sub-stage
INTEGRATION
2nd sub-stage
ADAPTATION
1 sub-stage
ACCEPTING ETHNICAL
DIFFERENCES
LOW
45
ETHNORELATIVISM

27. Ethnocentrism, which can be conceptualized as a preference
for one’s own cultural standing or values can adversely affect
harmonious intergroup relations. It has also been linked to
lower cultural sensitivity and can increase out-group
negativity (Logan et al., 2015).
The results from the present study and similar others
highlight the importance of understanding ethnocentrism as
a hurdle to be confronted in developing ICC (Goncalves et
al., 2020).
Conclusions

28. (from Asia)
 a nonprofit organization based in Japan that was established in 2009.
 Foundation carries out or supports various activities which stimulate a
common sense of values through economic, educational, cultural exchanges
as well as citizens’ good-will meetings to deepen their mutual understanding.
 The aim of the Foundation is to <...> provide support to activities that enrich
others about culture and diversity. The main purpose is developing a
borderless academic and cultural community network, comprising of
professors and students actively sharing the history and values.
Collaboration with EURASIA FOUNDATION
(from Asia)

29. References
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