Final answer:
Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is inherently superior to others, a concept described by sociologist William Graham Sumner. It often results in judging other cultures against one's own cultural norms. The opposite of this belief is xenocentrism, while cultural relativism promotes understanding a culture by its own standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The belief that one's worldview is inherently superior and desirable to others is labeled ethnocentrism. This concept implies a certain arrogance towards other cultures, with the ethnocentric individual or group believing their own culture to be the paramount example of propriety and excellence. Ethnocentrism often manifests in viewing one's own cultural norms as the universal standard against which other cultures should be judged. Sociologist William Graham Sumner coined the term ethnocentrism to describe this belief, which suggests that one's own culture is better than all others. While it is natural to take pride in one's own culture (a process known as enculturation), it can lead to a lack of appreciation for the unique qualities of other cultures.
As a counterpoint, cultural relativism is the practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than through the lens of one's own culture. On the other end of the spectrum, xenocentrism is the belief that another culture is superior to one's own, which is the exact opposite of ethnocentrism.