Toward a test for ethnocentrism and ethnorelativism based upon reference group orientation

Abstract

The object of this investigation is to determine wh~ther two aspects of reference group orientation, 1) mult- It is hypothesized that those people who are aware of higher multiplicity and higher structural variation of reference group orientations will be more likely to accept the viability of other cultural frames of reference.A _pilot study is performed in which twenty-one students from an undergraduate Speech Communication class at Portland State University are given two tests. In the first test, called the "Who are you?" test, the students indicate the multiplicity and structural variation of their reference group orientations. In the second test, called the "Acceptance/rejection of other cultural frames of reference" test, the students indicate the degree of their ethnocentrism.The degree of association between the students' responses on the two tests is measured by using the Pearson "r" coefficient. Results suggest that a moderately positive degree of association exists between both high multiplicity and high structural variation of reference group orientation and the acceptance of other cultural frames of reference. Recommendation is made for further investigation of multiplicity and st~ctural variation of reference group orientation as aspects of ethnocentrism and ethnorelativism.3

Influential factors on ethnocentrism: The effect of socioeconomic status, anomie, and authoritarianism

“…For example, ethnocentric individuals are more likely to have biased attitudes toward out-groups, evaluate them as dishonest, and treat them with injustice (Neuliep et al, 2005). This definition touches on the nature of ethnocentrism, which illuminates how this concept relates to authoritarian or dogmatic ideology (Mayer, 2012).…”

Diverse Human Resource And Organizational Productivity: Towards An Analytical Framework

“…For example, studies have revealed that people generally like their own groups best and perceive them in the most positive light and perceive "out groups" less favourably (Brewer and Campbell, 1976;Marjoribanks and Jordan, 1986). Those who concur with Summer's definition view ethnocentrism as an attitude inspired by negative feelings (Mayer, 1984). Going by the above definitions, other things being equal, employees are likely to receive unfavourable attention if their demographic backgrounds if their behaviour differ markedly from that of the others.…”