Which term describes the belief that one's own culture is superior to others?

• A. Ethnocentrism
• B. Cultural Relativism
• C. Xenocentrism
• D. Nonmaterial culture

Answer: (A)

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others. It happens when people judge other cultures by the standards of their own, often viewing unfamiliar practices as inferior simply because they differ from what is familiar. This stance can lead to prejudice and discrimination, since it ranks cultures and treats one as the default measure of worth. By contrast, cultural relativism asks us to interpret beliefs and practices within their own cultural context, rather than through our own biased lens. Xenocentrism would be the opposite position, valuing other cultures as superior to one’s own, while nonmaterial culture refers to intangible aspects like beliefs, values, and norms rather than judgments about cultural superiority.