Reducing Ethnocentrism in U.S. College Students by Completing a Cross-Cultural Psychology Course

Abstract

Students enrolled in Cross-Cultural and Introductory Psychology courses completed measures of ethnocentrism at the beginning and end of the term. We predicted that those who took part in the Cross-Cultural Psychology class would have significantly reduced ethnocentric attitudes as a result of the course experience. We also predicted that the Introductory Psychology students would show a minimal decrease in ethnocentrism. As predicted, students in the cross- cultural class showed significant decreases in U.S. and generalized ethnocentrism, while the introductory psychology students did not. Course involvement was related to greater ethnocentrism reduction, but course grade was not related to ethnocentrism reduction. We discuss the implications for ethnocentrism reduction through cross-cultural class activities and education.