cultural, theme 2

migrants

people who move from a heritage culture to a host culture

sojourners

migrants who intend to stay temporarily

immigrants

migrants who intend to stay permanently

3 phases of adjustment of migrants in a host culture

• honeymoon phase

• culture shock phase

• adjustment phase

—> not every migrant goes through all the phases some skip one and others get stuck in one, this depends on the individuals themselves and the feelings of the host culture about migrants

honeymoon phase

the pleasant, positive experiences in the new culture (meeting new people, trying new foods etc.)

culture shock phase

lasts about 6-18 months —> the crisis stage, they experience feelings of irritability, home sickness, anxiety and helplessness —> can even cause them to go back to their heritage culture and have very negative feelings about the host culture

adjustment stage

tends to last several years —> they start to fit in, learn the culture/language and get friends/friendgroup their close with.

reverse culture shock

doesn’t happen to everyone —> not feeling at home in heritage culture anymore, feeling alienated etc.

process of acculturation

the process of learning the lifestyle of a new culture (language = the most important predictor of acculturation)

cultural difference

the difference between 2 cultures in their overall ways of life —> the bigger the cultural difference between host and original culture, the more difficult the adjustment

cultural fit

the degree to which and individual’s personality is compatible with the dominant values of the host culture (the more cultural fit = the more easy the acculturation)

2 critical issues for the succes of acculturation

• migrant attempt to participate in the larger society of the host culture (wanting to fit in)

• migrants strive to maintain their own heritage culture and identity as members of that culture

ethnic identity

those who have a positive attitude toward their heritage culture

4 strategies of acculturation

• integration strategy

• marginalization strategy

• assimilation strategy

• separation strategy

integration strategy

efforts to fit in and participate in the host culture + trying to maintain the traditions of the heritage culture = positive views on host and heritage culture

marginalization strategy

little to no effort to fit in and participate in the host culture + no effort to maintain the traditions of the heritage culture = negative views on host and heritage culture

assimilation strategy

efforts to fit in and participate in the host culture + no efforts to maintain the traditions of the heritage culture = positive views on host culture & negative views on heritage culture

separation strategy

little or no effort to fit in and participate in host culture + trying to maintain the traditions of the heritage culture = negative views on host culture & positive views on heritage culture

factors that influence which strategy migrants are likely to use

• physical features and prejudice towards migrant

• if the host culture meets the needs and desires of the migrant

• whether the host culture values cultural diversity or not

2 models of countries on how to deal with migrants

• salad bowl/multicultural model: immigrants can keep the qualities of their cultures without problems

• assimilationist/melting pot model: immigrants are encouraged to act like locals

immigrant paradox

a common problem in which the children of migrants have lower educational achievement and poorer physical and mental health —> paradoxical because they are more assimilated/acculturated than their parents

psychological adjustment to host culture

enhances wellbeing, confidence and fewer mental health issues

sociocultural adjustment to host culture

enhances school succes, behavioral norms and social interactions

migration morbidity

immigrants show more psychological, behavioral and academical problems than natives

immigrant-paradox

despite social-economical disadvantages, immigrants often fair better in different adjustment areas