ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims to consolidate the current knowledge of ethnocentrism. It discusses a history of the study of ethnocentrism across time periods and disciplines. The book also discusses the origins of ethnocentrism, such as those pertaining to fear, self-aggrandisement, social factors, biology and evolution, as well as the consequences of ethnocentrism, such as nationalism, prejudice, and discrimination. It also presents the results of empirical research, with thousands of participants, which investigated causes and consequences of ethnocentrism. The book shows how ethnocentrism, including its six dimensions, relates to its causes, such as personality, values, demographics, political ideology, and social factors, as well as its consequences, such as prejudice, attitudes, emotional reactions, discrimination, and political attitudes. It explains how ethnocentrism, in addition to being an important focus of study in psychology, also affects the study of psychology itself.
