What term is defined as the belief that one's own culture is superior to others?

The term that defines the belief that one's own culture is superior to others is ethnocentrism. This concept reflects a viewpoint where individuals evaluate other cultures based on the standards and values of their own culture, often leading to misinterpretation and devaluation of cultural differences. Ethnocentrism can manifest in a variety of contexts, including perceptions of social behaviors, traditions, and practices that might be considered strange or inferior solely because they differ from one’s own cultural experiences.

Cultural relativism, on the other hand, promotes understanding and evaluating a culture based on its own values and context, rather than comparing it against another culture. Cultural superiority is not a defined term within cultural studies, but it may loosely relate to the belief in one's culture as better, which aligns closely with ethnocentrism. Cultural nationalism involves a sense of pride or devotion to one's culture, often emphasizing national identity, but it does not inherently carry the connotation of superiority over other cultures. Therefore, ethnocentrism distinctly captures the essence of believing in the superiority of one's own culture.