Ethnocentrism… Do you know what it means?

Posted By Pankaj on December 8, 2007
Filed Under Project Management

Well, I have a bit of history with that word. I got to know about that word when I was preparing for my PMP exam back in October 2007. While I was solving some of the samle questions available on the web for my PMP preparation, I saw a question on this particular topic. Neither I remember the exact question nor where I actually saw it now (and I am really sorry for not being able to provide you the link). Anyway as you might have guessed, I had absoultely no clue about the question and I got it wrong. But as a good student, I did some research later on and found out what it meant. Here are couple of defintions associated with the word ethnocentrism

According to wikipedia

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one’s own culture. It is defined as the viewpoint that “one’s own group is the center of everything (better than all other cultures), against which all other groups are judged. Ethnocentrism often entails the belief that one’s own race or ethnic group is the most important and/or that some or all aspects of its culture are superior to those of other groups.

and according to encyclopedia

ethnocentrism the feeling that one’s group has a mode of living, values, and patterns of adaptation that are superior to those of other groups. It is coupled with a generalized contempt for members of other groups. Ethnocentrism may manifest itself in attitudes of superiority or sometimes hostility. Violence, discrimination, proselytizing, and verbal aggressiveness are other means whereby ethnocentrism may be expressed.

Now you know what it means (if you already didn’t) and might have guessed as well guess that its not good to be ethnocentric as this can lead to premature judgment, racism, troubled time in managing people from different cultures and opportunity loss of acquiring more knowledge on various things.

Ok, coming back to the history part of this post. While I was writing my PMP exam, (and honestly I wasn’t feeling too positive during the exam) when I saw a question on this very topic. God! it felt so good just to see a question which I was sure of. That gave me a lot of confidence and you know that a confident man always does well everywhere.

So crux of the story, I see this in two ways. Learn not to be ethnocentric and two you feel confident in your transactions if you have good knowledge about it. Keep looking for more information, keep reading, and keep improving your skills which will make you feel more confident also it helps in broadening your horizon.

Remember both these help in becoming a good project manager  :-)

Lastly I would like to say one thing in which I totally believe in and that would be … “Knowledge acquired, may not necessarily be useful today but it will come handy someday for sure”.

PS: There is an interesting podcast by on Ron Holohan titled as Engagin China. In this podcast, Ron shares his experiences and tips while working with people in China. 

Comments

One Response to “Ethnocentrism… Do you know what it means?”

  1. Ron Holohan, PMP on December 9th, 2007 5:20 pm

    Hi Pankaj,

    Thanks for mentioning my pm411.org website and my project management podcast episode on Engaging China. Having had the experience of visiting China provided me with so much insight into my own western culture here in the United States midwest. It has helped me to remember not to be ethnicentric in how I approach project team members and collegues in other parts of the world.

    Love your website! I have subscribed to the RSS feed!

    Stay in touch!

    Ron Holohan, Host
    www.pm411.org Project Management Podcast

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