Sep 7 2012: Ethnocentrism probably can't entirely be eliminated, because it is going to always take more effort to think in ways alien to one's own culture.
However, this is an area in which it pays to be conscious of that judgement, and to consciously suspend it.
Sep 7 2012: Humans...are born with our neurology in a very undeveloped state. I think it is this that allows our brains to...sort of imprint on the culture around us. Also on our family. So as we become mature, it does become more difficult to change who we are...as our habits and preferences are literally wired into the structure of our brains.
But...we still have neurogenesis occurring as adults. So it is possible to change.
In our evolutionary past, adaptability was selected-for.
Personality can change radically over a lifespan.
Now...there is a catch to that. Twin studies seem to show that there are innate proclivities to like certain things. I think one is influenced by genetics. Humans are no blank slate.
Still, we're evolved to be able to change ourselves as required.
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A comment on Conversation: Is it possible for an individual to be without ethnocentrism?
However, this is an area in which it pays to be conscious of that judgement, and to consciously suspend it.
A comment on Conversation: Do people change?
But...we still have neurogenesis occurring as adults. So it is possible to change.
In our evolutionary past, adaptability was selected-for.
Personality can change radically over a lifespan.
Now...there is a catch to that. Twin studies seem to show that there are innate proclivities to like certain things. I think one is influenced by genetics. Humans are no blank slate.
Still, we're evolved to be able to change ourselves as required.