1. Number One Mentality.docx - Number-One Mentality...

Number-One Mentality
Ethnocentrism, also referred to in Language Shock by Agar (1994) as number-one
mentality, is when someone considers their own perspective or culture to be the correct way of
living. Rather than viewing themselves as equal to others, people with a number-one mentality
believe that all other cultures are inferior (Agar, 1994). Often times, modern-day Americans are
labeled as being extremely ethnocentric and closed minded when it comes to other cultures. In
order to get a real, authentic view of a culture, ethnographers must learn to separate themselves
from a situation and attempt to remove any cultural biases from their mind. Although this is
easier said than done, when studying a culture, it is absolutely necessary to remember not to
display any amount of number one-mentality. However, this concept has always been wildly
prevalent throughout history, as demonstrated by the treatment of Natives in the Americas during
colonization and Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945.