EurocentrismHayley Thompson

Social Science is the FISH and

Eurocentrism is the WATER

What is Eurocentrism and where did it come from?

How is it discussed in theory? Why does Eurocentrism matter? How do we move forward?

An Explication of Eurocentrism

What is Eurocentrism?

“a tendency to interpret the world in terms of Anglo-American values and experiences” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2015).

Anglo-American refers to descendants and ideologies developed from the imperial control of the British Empire

Two Forms

Eurocentric Aesthetics

Eurocentric Ideology

Eurocentric, Afrocentric, Asiacentric

What is Eurocentrism?

“reflecting a tendency to interpret the world in terms of Anglo-American values and experiences” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2015).

Anglo-American refers to descendants and ideologies developed from the imperial control of the British Empire

Two Forms

Eurocentric Aesthetics

Eurocentric Ideology

A line of thinking that reinforces the elite, progressive, and noble achievements of the west while patronizing or even demonizing the Non-

West.

Where did it come from?

Historical Imperialism Light Skinned vs Dark

Skinned Slaves

Academic Developed by the west Ignored or not considered

until recently

discussed in theory?How is Eurocentrism

Grand Communication Theory Feminist Theory

Types of Theory

Communication theory is a grand theory that encompasses the methods and processes in which information is conveyed in order to describe all aspects of the phenomenon (Baran & Davis, 2014, pg. 5).

Developed in Western society and is inherently limited by a Eurocentric bias

Not equipped to discuss a global context

Communication Theory and Discourse

Criticisms of Communication

Bias toward American Academia

Limits new perspectives

Eurocentric Values Individualistic

emphasis Speaking over

listening Self-centered and

goal oriented

Western scholarship is viewed as UNIVERSAL

Why does that matter?

Middle Class White Women Critical Feminist perspective is concerned

with texts that reflect, support, or create sexist or patriarchal messages Doesn’t translate across cultures

Feminist Theory

UNIVERSALISM.How does that affect communication?

Social Comparative Theory Minority representations are biased toward

Eurocentrism Most don’t naturally look like that

Why does Eurocentrism Matter?

So successful, powerful, beautiful, amazing, in

charge, and EUROCENTRIC

Olivia Pope

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Skin Bleaching Plastic Surgery

Not parsimonious--- “values” can encompass a broad array of things

Need to develop a model and to explain Eurocentrism in media

All theories should be assessed for these values

How to move forward?

UNIVERSALISMMost importantly!

Not just internationally, but domestically for subcultures.

We can see the invisible

and feel the water

Eurocentrism