Ethnocentrism and Sensation Seeking as Variables that Influence Intercultural Contact-Seeking Behavior: A Path Analysis

Abstract

Previous research findings suggest that sensation seeking may be a predictor of intercultural contact-seeking behavior. However, these findings do not take into account ethnocentrism, a variable that has been adversely associated with intercultural communication. Ethnocentrism is characterized as a way of seeing one's own culture as central to all others and evaluating other cultures based on one's own values. The present study explores how the introduction of ethnocentrism alters the relationship between sensation seeking (and related variables) and intercultural contact-seeking behavior by means of a path analysis. Four hypotheses were proposed, and all four were supported. The results suggest that ethnocentrism weakens the motivation to interact with people from other cultures and may even hinder high sensation seekers from forming intercultural friendships.

Keywords:

• Ethnocentrism
• Intercultural Contact
• Path Analysis
• Sensation Seeking

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lily A. Arasaratnam

Dr. Arasaratnam (Ph.D., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 2003) is an assistant professor in the Division of Society, Culture, Media & Philosophy, Macquarie University.

Smita C. Banerjee

Dr. Banerjee (Ph.D., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 2005) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies, Montclair State University, Division of Society, Culture, Media & Philosophy.