Definition

1. Noun:
   • The process of cultural change and psychological change that results from the meeting of cultures: This refers to the modifications that occur when different cultural groups come into continuous firsthand contact. It involves changes in the original cultural patterns of either or both groups.
   • The process of assimilating new ideas into an existing cognitive structure: This describes the mental process of integrating new information, concepts, or cultural elements into one's existing framework of knowledge and beliefs.
   • The adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture: This is the process by which an individual or group learns and takes on the cultural norms, values, and practices of another culture, often the dominant one.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The acculturation of immigrant communities is a complex and often lengthy process.
  • Studying abroad involves not just language learning but also a deep process of acculturation.
  • Anthropologists study the acculturation of indigenous peoples following contact with colonizing societies.

Advanced Usage

• "Forced acculturation": When a dominant culture imposes its norms on another group, often suppressing the original culture.

  • The policy was one of forced acculturation, aimed at erasing the native language and customs.

• "Mutual acculturation": A two-way process where both interacting cultures influence each other.

  • The trade relationship led to a mutual acculturation, with both societies adopting elements from the other.

• "Acculturation stress": The psychological strain experienced by individuals during the process of adapting to a new culture.

  • Many international students experience acculturation stress during their first semester.

Variants and Related Words

• Acculturate (verb): To undergo or cause to undergo acculturation.

  • Families acculturate at different rates when they move to a new country.

• Acculturative (adjective): Relating to or causing acculturation.

  • The acculturative pressures in a global city can be intense.

Synonyms

• Enculturation: (Specifically) The process of learning one's own native culture, often distinguished from learning a second culture (acculturation).
• Cultural assimilation: The process by which a person or group's culture comes to resemble that of another group, often a more specific outcome of acculturation.
• Cultural adaptation: The adjustment to a new cultural environment.

Related Phrases

• "Stages of acculturation": Refers to common phases, such as the honeymoon phase, culture shock, adjustment, and adaptation, that individuals may pass through.

  • Understanding the stages of acculturation can help newcomers manage their expectations.

• "Acculturation strategy": The approach (e.g., integration, assimilation, separation, marginalization) an individual or group adopts in relation to the host culture.

  • Her acculturation strategy was integration, maintaining her heritage while fully participating in the new society.

Noun

1. the process of assimilating new ideas into an existing cognitive structure
2. all the knowledge and values shared by a society
3. the adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture
   • the socialization of children to the norms of their culture