This document discusses the concept of ethnocentrism. It defines ethnocentrism as believing in the superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture and viewing other groups through one's own cultural lens. The document provides examples of ethnocentrism, such as American resistance to adopting the metric system. It also lists mainstream American cultural values and has the reader reflect on how ethnocentrism can negatively impact students from diverse backgrounds. The document promotes moving beyond ethnocentrism to a more culturally relative perspective.

1. ETHNOCENTRISM
Dr. Sarah Nixon
LTC 660
Fall 2023

2. PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES:
The purpose of this lesson is to learn about
ethnocentrism. At the end of lesson, you
should be able to:
Define ethnocentrism.
Offer examples of ethnocentrism and
mainstream US cultural values.
Understand how cultural miscommunication
can occur due to ethnocentrism.

3. ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:
In order to activate your prior knowledge, take a
minute to contemplate the following questions:
Define ethnocentrism in your own words in one
sentence.
What is an example of ethnocentrism in general
society?
Give one example of ethnocentrism that is
prevalent or widespread in schools and/or
school curriculum.

4. DEFINITION OF ETHNOCENTRISM:
the belief in the inherent superiority of one's
own ethnic group or culture
a tendency to view other groups or cultures
from the perspective of one's own
(Cushner et al. , 2022)

6. ONE CLASSIC EXAMPLE:

7. While a certain degree of ethnocentrism
serves to bind people together, it also becomes
a serious obstacle when those who have
internalized different ideas and behaviors begin
to interact with one another. (Cushner et al. , 2022)

8. One major expression of ethnocentrism is a
strong resistance to change. People have a
tendency to resist change, even under the best
of circumstances. If people believe that their way
of doing things is the best and if they have the
power to choose to continue in familiar ways,
why should they change? (Cushner et al. , 2022)

9. Consider the case of the United States and the
adoption of metrics. At this time, all countries
of the world have adopted the metric system as
their primary means of measurement except
the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar.
(Cushner et al. , 2022)

10. FIVE MASSIVE SCREW-UPS THAT WOULDN'T
HAVE HAPPENED IF WE ALL JUST USED THE
METRIC SYSTEM
oThe Mars Climate Orbiter makes a crash landing
(1999)
oThe case of the Hefty Turtle (2001)
oAir Canada jet runs out of fuel (1983)
oTokyo Disneyland roller coaster derailment
(2003)
oDeadly mistake on Korean Air cargo flight 6316
(1999)
(Taylor, 2022)

11. MAINSTREAM U.S. CULTURAL
VALUES
Personal control over the
environment/ responsibility
Change seen as natural &
positive
Time & its control
Equality/fairness
Individualism/
independence
Self-help/initiative
Competition
Action/work orientation
Informality
Directness/openness/
honesty
Practicality/efficiency
Materialism
Future orientation
Source: Ariza, E. N. W. (2018). Not for ESOL
teachers: What every classroom teacher needs to
know about the linguistically, culturally, and
ethnically diverse student. 3rd Ed. Dubuque, IA:
Kendall Hunt.

12. Contemplate the following
questions:
 Why is it important for teachers to be familiar
with this list of mainstream American values?
 How are these mainstream values present in
our classrooms & curriculum?

13.  CONNECTION CHECK!
DESCRIBE THE ETHNOCENTRIC
PERSPECTIVE

14. CONNECTION CHECK!
WHAT IS YOUR FIRST THOUGHT
COMES TO MIND?
IS IT FROM AN ETHNOCENTRIC
PERSPECTIVE?
HOW DO YOU EAT?

15. HOW DO WE EAT?
1/3 OF THE WORLD EATS WITH FORKS
1/3 OF THE WORLD EATS WITH
CHOPSTICKS
1/3 OF THE WORLD EATS WITH THEIR
HAND/HANDS

16.  CONNECTION CHECK!
WHEN IS CLOSE TOO CLOSE?
Sense of personal space is called proxemics,
which is a part of deep culture.
Whose sense of closeness is correct?
When does proxemics become more about
ethnocentrism rather than one’s culture?
Read the short article and view the graphics.
Then return to these questions for a deeper
contemplation.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/04/24/
how-close-is-too-close-depends-on-where-you-live/

17. MOVING BEYOND ETHNOCENTRISM TO
CULTURAL RELATIVISM…

18. PROBLEM-SOLUTION CONTEMPLATION:
Think of one example of ethnocentrism that is
prevalent or widespread in schools and/or
school curriculum.
How does this example affect students from
diverse backgrounds?
How could this example of ethnocentrism
negatively affect students from diverse
backgrounds?
How could this situation be modified to be
more inclusive or all encompassing? In other
words, what actions can a teacher take to include

19. RESOURCES
Ariza, E. N. W. (2018). Not for ESOL teachers:
What every classroom teacher needs to know
about the linguistically, culturally, and ethnically
diverse student. 3rd ed. Kendall Hunt.
Cushner, K., McClelland, A., Safford, P., &
Cushner, H. (2022). Human diversity in
education: An integrative approach. 10th ed.
McGraw Hill.
Taylor, T. (May 12, 2022). Why didn’t the US
adopt the metric system long ago? The
Conservable Economist.