Mitigating inter- and intra-group ethnocentrism: Comparing the effects of culture knowledge, exposure, and uncertainty intolerance

Although there are indeed many hindrances to intercultural communication, the most frequently discussed (and perhaps most potent) is ethnocentrism. Very recently, views of ethnocentrism have refocused and the present study was consequently designed to investigate these changes in relation to both traditional and potential new pedagogical interventions. Specifically, we sought to observe how, among a sample of intercultural communication student respondents, cultural knowledge, cultural exposure, uncertainty intolerance, stress, intergroup ethnocentrism, and intragroup ethnocentrism all interrelate. Overall, these findings suggest that a staple pedagogical approach is perhaps less effective than a potential new one: reduced levels of both forms of ethnocentrism were engendered by uncertainty tolerance but not cultural knowledge.

► We examine potential interventions and inter- and intragroup ethnocentrism. ► Reduced ethnocentrism was engendered by uncertainty tolerance but not cultural knowledge. ► Findings support interventions that focus learner attention on intragroup and intraindividual processes.