Ethnocentrism

Positive versus Negative Effects

The ethnocentric perspective can have both affirming and detrimental implications for self-concept and interactions with others. Social identity theory purports that as individuals understand themselves, the following personality qualities are enhanced: personal identity, affiliation with others within group, confidence, understanding of self, psychological well-being, and self-esteem. However, the sole or primary culture-specific focus can negatively affect individuals' ability to accept the relativism of their and others' cultural identity.

However, in spite of this mix of both positive and negative characteristics associated with a strong positive group identity (one aspect of being ethnocentric), many individuals assume that such is automatically equated with only negative implications. Empirical evidence supports the notion that one can simultaneously have a strong positive group identity and accept the legitimacy of the culturally different. Nevertheless, the most effective strategy to balance the effective expression of respect for both self and other, when the two value systems collide, remains somewhat unclear.

Because empirical evidence supports the notion that individuals can simultaneously have a strong positive group identity and respect those of other groups, it is imperative that practitioners are sufficiently multiculturally competent to effectively bridge any differences existing between themselves and all clients. However, in spite of the mandate for multicultural counseling training in all accredited programs, this competence varies significantly among practitioners. will prematurely terminate the counseling relationship. The following are examples of common errors made in counseling relationships, when ethnocentrism is not monitored: use of negative judgment words to describe the clients' experience, behavior, or primary support network; pathologizing differences and using assessments without considering population-demographic characteristics on which the measures are normed; engaging clients based solely on perceptions of pheno-type or stated group identity; responses that indicate unawareness of one's own identity; unwillingness to examine transference or countertransference (i.e., consistently defining clients' responses in counseling as resistant to intervention); expressed insensitivity or lack of respect for clients' perception of experience associated with their unique group membership; premature problem-solving and advice-giving based on what the counselor believes the client ought to be or do; generating alternatives without considering the negative implications for ingroup and outgroup membership or preparing the client for potential shifts related to proposed changes; distancing oneself from the client by expressing no understanding of the client's experience; not specifically addressing stark differences between self and client that might influence the client's perception of the relationship and of the counselor as a person (i.e., sex, race, ethnicity, age); disaffiliating from one's group or client's perceptions of one's group when client expresses concern about counselor's group membership (i.e., I'm not racist; I'm not sexist; I'm not like all of the others like me, I'm different); not inviting the client to share perceptions whenever there is any indication of counselor's insensitivity. As a result, the client's culture is not respected, and the counselor's culture is not used in a manner that enhances the therapeutic working alliance. The increased probability of inaccurate assessment results, unstable rapport, insufficient collection of important information, inappropriate diagnoses, and negative outcomes are results from such interactions. Sensitivity is warranted particularly with clients who are ethnocentric in their own identity.

...