In the study reported here, 133 subjects (Ss) were selected randomly from one elementary school. Ss were showed photographs of Bushmen performing daily activities and asked to predict whether a Bushman would prefer specific indigenous customs or their American equivalents, and then to justify the prediction. Scores for three types of predictions…

Many universities promote cultural awareness by directly teaching sensitivity toward cultural diversity. Because students tend to be somewhat ethnocentric, which is not consonant with the display of culturally tolerant attitudes, multicultural education can help them acquire more tolerant attitudes. The paper describes the influence of a course in…

This doctoral thesis analyzes the effect of the Anthropology Curriculum Project (ACP) materials, "Concept of Culture," on the ethnocentric attitudes of fourth-grade students. Twenty-two fourth-grade public-school classes in Georgia served as the sample population. The hypotheses were that classes using the ACP materials would evidence…

Asserts that most representations of non-Western cultures are inherently tainted with Eurocentric and colonialist precepts. Argues for, and describes, a variety of strategies to deconstruct these perceptions. Maintains that issues of ethnicity, inclusion, and difference are more complex than normally thought. (MJP)

This paper demonstrates with specific examples from various students' journals how subtly and, at the same time, pervasively ethnocentricity expresses itself, and offers suggestions on how to assess and combat ethnocentric beliefs through writing assignments and classroom exercises in an international business law course at Indiana University. The…

From an individual's viewpoint, it is argued, culture establishes a meaningful context of social institutions, ecological practices, and personal rules of conduct which provide each group member with a blueprint for social existence. But, behavior is also conditioned by unconscious internalized patterns, which tend to be accepted by everyone as…

Ethnic differences are valuable to the well-being of society, but it is difficult to determine how to transmit this cultural value from one generation to another. The development of the value of cultural pluralism is dependent upon the development of both a comprehensive theory of cultural pluralism and a model of cultural transmission which focus…

Perceptions of elementary school students in selected schools of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota toward the world, China, India, and Nigeria are investigated. The study includes a review of related literature, a review of existing research on children's attitudes toward American and other nations, and recording and interpreting approximately 300…

An in-progress report of a study exploring the nature and content of children's concepts of their own and other countries is presented. Current literature on early development of concepts of other people and places is reviewed, followed by a description of the open-ended procedure adopted for gathering data. The test is being conducted in…

Argues that the media portrayal of Africa remains highly selective, focusing almost solely on negative and violent stories. Positive stories (local initiatives, political reform) go unreported as does much of the Western powers involvement in famine and destruction. Includes a list of sources on African current affairs. (MJP)

Recent advertising research has suggested that to gain initial entry into and retain continual success with a targeted audience of consumers, it is wise to mirror the attitudes and desires of those consumers. This has proven effective in the United States, where companies such as Chevrolet, Levi Strauss, and Coca-Cola have successfully catered to…

Critiques six current history textbooks concerning their representation of African history. Identifies strengths and weaknesses in the texts and establishes criteria of judgement. Includes the use of primary sources, consideration of African perspectives, and a balanced portrait of contemporary problems. (MJP)

An anti-bias curriculum focuses not only on the richness of various cultures, but also on seeing cultures as differing responses to common human needs--for food, shelter, fellowship, governance, and other necessities. Thus, cultures and peoples are not superior or inferior, just different. The anti-bias curriculum presented in this book has the…