Abstract
Ethnocentrism does not accept cultural diversity, and is a general intolerance to out-groups and a relative preference for one’s in-group over most out-groups. The literature suggests that ethnocentrism has the potential to lead to stereotypical prejudices and negative behaviours against out-groups or other ethnic group members (Donald & Cindy, 2010). The purpose of this study was to investigate the status ethnocentrism and related factors among university students in Ethiopia. To achieve the objective of the study a cross-sectional research design was employed. A total of 771 participants (484 males and 287 females) were sampled from four government universities. The adapted measuring scale was Neuliep and McCroskey’s (1997) and Neulip’s (2002) Generalized Ethnocentrism Scale (GES). The combinations of multistage cluster sampling, stratified simple random sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling procedures were employed to select the sample participants. The data were analyzed using Descriptive Statistical Measures (Mean, SD, Quartile & Percentile Scores), Frequency percentage, Chi-square, independent-t test and one-way ANOVA. The findings of the study depicted that the target group university students were labelled at lower level of ethnocentrism status. Furthermore, the findings indicated significant mean differences on ethnocentrism due to sex, place grown up and different batches of university students. However, there was no significant difference on ethnocentrism score between mono and mixed ethnic background of the participants. Finally, implications and recommendations were forwarded. Keywords: Ethnocentrism, Status, University Students DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-13-03 Publication date:July 31st 2020
Highlights
The theme of ethnocentrism is not new phenomena to psychology, as it has been studied scientifically for more than a century
This is consistent with Demewoz’s (1997) study on ethnocentrism and peer relation among Addis Ababa University students which revealed a statistically significant difference between males and females on ethnocentrism.In this study the mean scores reveal that female university students are less ethnocentric than their male counterparts
This result would suggest that university students in Ethiopia from single/mono and mixed ethnic background have no difference in their ethnocentrism score.This result is not supported by findings of Stephan & Stephen (1991) that “there are some positive effects of bicultural socialization in terms of insulation from the ethnocentrism of single - heritage groups” (p. 248)
Summary
The theme of ethnocentrism is not new phenomena to psychology, as it has been studied scientifically for more than a century. In 1906, Sumner (1906) defined ethnocentrism as “the technical name for this view of things in which one’s own group is the center of everything, and all others are scaled and rated with reference to it” Ethnocentrism forms the basis for various other isms- racism, heterosexism, sexism, and so on. In this case the otheris defined as lesserin some way (Fowers&Davidov, 2006)
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