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

Number-One Mentality
Ethnocentrism, also referred to in Language Shock: Understanding the Culture of
Conversation 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 encountering a new
culture, it is important to be aware of possible biases. However, throughout history people have
not done a very good job of removing these cultural biases. As demonstrated by the treatment of
Natives in the Americas during colonization and Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945, humans have
a vast history of taking on a number-one mentality.