parochial thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

'parochial thinking' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a narrow-minded attitude which focuses on local interests or limited objectives at the expense of broader issues. For example, "The mayor's parochial thinking on economic policy has harmed our community's growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They aren't concerned with the somewhat parochial thinking about what an art practice can or should encompass right now.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As he worked (as head of Epic promotion), driving through airplay on Thriller singles, he was never parochial in his thinking.

Independent

"Instead of seeing the party as a force, as a tool, as another way to express Democratic and progressive values, they are so parochial and backward thinking.

The New York Times

I applaud the protesters for thinking beyond their own parochial concerns and trying to make society a better place for everyone.

The New York Times

The trouble is, such thinking surely leads to a very parochial form of internationalism – turning a blind eye to all those areas of the globe where one's own government is not involved.

The Guardian - Opinion

He argued that the Supreme Court's rulings since the Nyquist case suggested a shift in thinking on subsidies to private and parochial schools and called the majority opinion "absurd" and "meritless".

The New York Times

"It's the part of the system where parents say, 'I don't know what to do, I'm thinking of moving, I'm thinking of going to parochial school.' " Anna M. Phillips is a member of the SchoolBook staff.

The New York Times

One important aspect of internationalising higher education is to encourage home students to see beyond a parochial worldview, to open their minds to alternative perspectives and ways of thinking, to challenge stereotypes and confront prejudice, to become 'global citizens'.

The Guardian

When the focus is on near-term results, like undertaking big capital improvement programs, and not on thinking systemically for the long-term, the budget is merely parochial and shortsighted.

Los Angeles Times

"I think students have become less parochial in their thinking," said Kathy Sims, the director of the U.C.L.A. Career Center.

The New York Times

Besides making us more punitive, thinking about death also increases our nationalistic bias, makes us more prejudiced against other racial, religious and age groups, and leads to other such parochial attitudes.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing someone's perspective, use "parochial thinking" to describe a focus on local concerns at the expense of broader considerations. This avoids overly harsh judgments while highlighting the limitations of their viewpoint.

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone's "parochial thinking" is intentionally malicious. It often stems from a lack of awareness or experience, not necessarily bad intentions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "parochial thinking" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "parochial" modifies the noun "thinking". It describes a particular quality or characteristic of someone's thought process. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "parochial thinking" is a useful tool for describing a narrow or limited perspective. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, academic and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation and consider alternative phrasings such as "narrow-minded thinking" or "insular thinking" to convey similar meanings. Ludwig also highlights the importance of not assuming malicious intent behind this type of thinking, recognizing it often stems from limited experience or awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrow-minded thinking

Emphasizes a lack of open-mindedness and unwillingness to consider different viewpoints.

insular thinking

Highlights the isolated nature of the thought process, focusing on a limited sphere.

provincial thinking

Stresses a lack of sophistication and exposure to broader perspectives.

limited perspective

Focuses on the restricted scope of understanding.

restrictive mindset

Highlights the constraints placed on one's thinking.

small-mindedness

Implies pettiness and a lack of generosity in thought.

blinkered vision

Suggests a limited field of view, preventing a full understanding.

short-sighted thinking

Emphasizes a failure to consider long-term consequences.

close-mindedness

Highlights an unwillingness to consider new ideas or perspectives.

sectarian viewpoint

Implies bias stemming from a specific group affiliation.

FAQs

What does "parochial thinking" mean?

"Parochial thinking" refers to a narrow-minded perspective that is limited to local concerns or a specific viewpoint, failing to consider broader or more global implications.

How can I identify "parochial thinking" in a discussion?

You can identify "parochial thinking" when someone focuses excessively on local or specific details while ignoring wider implications or alternative viewpoints. Look for a lack of consideration for diverse perspectives.

What are some alternative phrases to "parochial thinking"?

Some alternatives to "parochial thinking" include "narrow-minded thinking", "insular thinking", or "provincial thinking". These alternatives offer similar nuances in describing limited perspectives.

How does "parochial thinking" differ from critical thinking?

"Parochial thinking" is the opposite of critical thinking. Critical thinking involves analyzing information objectively and considering multiple perspectives, while "parochial thinking" is limited and biased, often overlooking essential information.