1) do you believe that americans may be somewhat more ethnocentric than people in the other western industrial nations? if so, why might this be the case? if not, why is this widely believed?

Yes, I do believe that Americans are most likely more ethnocentric, than people in the other Western Industrial nations, As Americans we are cultural diversity. Most Western nations are surrounded by many countries with many different languages and cultures. Americans are surrounded by Canada which is more liberal; and Mexico which is more conservative. We can only see cultures between states, regions and time zones. In Europe, you can travel a few hundred miles and be in another country with a completely different language.