Discussion on the Difference Between Assimilation and Acculturation

Discussion on the Difference Between Assimilation and Acculturation

  • Submitted By: valeria33
  • Date Submitted: 01/07/2009 9:13 AM
  • Category: Psychology
  • Words: 9523
  • Page: 39
  • Views: 4628

ccording to Hall and Barongan, 2002 pg. 22 "Assimilation is absorption into the dominant culture. Acculturation is competence in a second culture without complete acceptance." Assimilation carries some dangers with it. A person can be cast out by their own culture because they have lost their own cultural identity. For a person who exhibits acculturation, they may be totally competent in another culture but will always be identified as a person who belongs to the minority culture. There is also the added stress of learning and understanding the new culture. This same person may also be considered at a lower status with the other culture. This person is seen as a second class citizen. Fusion is another part of acculturation which involves sharing a space together until a new culture is formed. The shared space can be anything from political to economic. Assimilation is different because parts of multiple cultures are formed into the new culture. Acculturation also involves alternation. Alternation is competence in two cultures. When this happens a person is able to maintain good relationships with both cultures (Hall and Barongan, 2002). Acculturation is “the changes that groups and individuals undergo when they come into contact with another culture” (as cited in Hall & Barongan, 2002). Colman defines acculturation as the “process of assimilating the ideas, beliefs, customs, values, and knowledge of another culture through direct contact with it, usually after migration from one place to another” (Colman, 2006). When an individual acculturates they are knowledgeable of the dominate culture, but identify with their original culture. The difference between the two is that acculturation is recognition of the dominate culture and minimal absorption of it; while identifying one’s self with and recognition of the culture of origin. Assimilation is complete absorption of the dominant culture to the point where the individual is indistinguishably apart of the new...

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