6 Acculturation

Acculturation

The process of social, psychological, and cultural change that results from blending between cultures.

Unidimensional Model

A simplistic view of acculturation where an immigrant gradually leaves their heritage culture to adopt the host culture.

Bidimensional Model

A model proposed by John Berry that combines two independent dimensions of acculturation to form four strategies: assimilation, integration, separation, and marginalization.

Assimilation

A strategy of acculturation where an immigrant has little interest in maintaining their own culture and fully adopts the culture of their new home.

Integration

A strategy where an immigrant maintains their cultural heritage while also learning and adopting some of the values and behaviors of their new culture.

Separation

A strategy where an immigrant seeks to maintain their cultural identity and does not seek to engage with the host society.

Marginalization

A strategy where an immigrant neither retains their original culture nor adopts the new culture, leading to feelings of alienation.

Acculturation Stress

The stress experienced by immigrants due to the pressure of adapting to a new culture while maintaining their original cultural identity.

Emic Perspective

An insider's viewpoint that focuses on understanding behavior from within a specific culture.

Etic Perspective

An outsider's viewpoint that examines cultural behaviors using universal theories and frameworks.

Cultural Norms

The rules or standards within a culture that guide the behavior and expectations of its members.

Acculturation

The process of social, psychological, and cultural change that results from blending between cultures.

Unidimensional Model

A simplistic view of acculturation where an immigrant gradually leaves their heritage culture to adopt the host culture.

Bidimensional Model

A model proposed by John Berry that combines two independent dimensions of acculturation to form four strategies: assimilation, integration, separation, and marginalization.

Assimilation

A strategy of acculturation where an immigrant has little interest in maintaining their own culture and fully adopts the culture of their new home.

Integration

A strategy where an immigrant maintains their cultural heritage while also learning and adopting some of the values and behaviors of their new culture.

Separation

A strategy where an immigrant seeks to maintain their cultural identity and does not seek to engage with the host society.

Marginalization

A strategy where an immigrant neither retains their original culture nor adopts the new culture, leading to feelings of alienation.

Acculturation Stress

The stress experienced by immigrants due to the pressure of adapting to a new culture while maintaining their original cultural identity.

Emic Perspective

An insider's viewpoint that focuses on understanding behavior from within a specific culture.

Etic Perspective

An outsider's viewpoint that examines cultural behaviors using universal theories and frameworks.

Cultural Norms

The rules or standards within a culture that guide the behavior and expectations of its members.

Cultural Identity

The identity of a group or culture that is based on shared attributes, such as language, religion, and traditions.

Host Culture

The culture of the country or region where an immigrant settles.

Heritage Culture

The culture that an individual or group identifies with, often associated with their ancestry.

Identity Crisis

A period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person's sense of self becomes insecure.

Cultural Assimilation

A process where individuals or groups from one culture adjust to and adopt the customs of another culture.

Transnationalism

The process by which immigrants build connections across borders while maintaining ties to their home and host countries.

Cultural Competence

The ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Cultural Exchange

The process through which different cultures share ideas, traditions, and practices.

Dual Heritage

A term that describes individuals who identify with two different cultural backgrounds.

Cultural Hybridization

The process by which elements from different cultures blend together to create new cultural forms.

Bicultural Identity

A form of identity that occurs when an individual identifies with two different cultures.

Acculturation Patterns

The various ways in which individuals adapt to a new culture based on their unique experiences and backgrounds.

Cultural Relativism

The practice of understanding a culture on its own terms rather than judging it by the standards of another culture.

Cultural Capital

The non-financial social assets that promote social mobility, such as education, intellect, and style of speech.

Intercultural Communication

The interaction between people from different cultural backgrounds.

Stereotype

A widely held but oversimplified and generalized belief about a particular group.

Ethnocentrism

The belief in the inherent superiority of one's own culture or ethnic group.

Cultural Shock

The feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture.

Cultural Transmission

The way in which culture is passed from one generation to the next.

Globalization

The process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence among countries and cultures.

Cultural Diversity

The existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a society.

Social Integration

The process of integrating individuals from different backgrounds into a society.

Diaspora

A scattered population whose origin lies in a different geographic locale.

Cultural Preservation

The act of maintaining and protecting cultural heritage and traditions.