Psychological And Psychological Factors And The Theory Of Acculturation

In order for assimilation to occur a minority group becomes an integrated part of the majority group; this assimilation results in non-distinguishing of one group from another by cultural characteristics. In order for this process to be complete, it must entail, not only an active effort by the minority group to shed all distinguishing actions and beliefs, and also complete unqualified acceptance of that individual by the dominant society.

Assimilation patterns differ in societies that are characterized by paternalistic race relations than in societies characterized by competitive race relations. According to the lectures and readings, assimilation is defined as a process by which minority and majority groups are merged into some total societal unit. There are also three different type of assimilation which are Anglo (or dominant group) conformity, the Melting Pot, and cultural pluralism. Some additional concepts that go along with assimilation are acculturation where the minority adopts the dominant culture, amalgamation the biological blending of the groups, and the transmuting pot where the dominant group selects aspects of minority culture and modifies it to fit the

Immigration is a complex process that results in a transformation of identity. Depending on contextual, individual, and societal differences this transformation can have either positive or detrimental results. Initially, the immigrant will be faced with an intense culture shock while settling into a new country. During this time, cognitive functioning becomes increasingly jumbled amidst the new context, resulting in immense identity confusion. This process of acculturation involves two specific issues regarding identity for each individual. These two issues include the delicate balance between remaining ethnically distinct by retaining their cultural identity and the desire to maintain positive relations with the new society. A variety of

If we start talking about ethnic groups in nowadays world, this topic could seem easy to be defined, but is sort of tricky though. “Ethnic group is a minority group in certain country”, - some might say. This is where it gets a bit

Latino/as represent approximately 12.5% of the U.S. population, making them largest ethnic minority in the United States today. As the years progress, psychologists are aware that the increase of Mexican American population will occur because of immigration and higher birth rates. Therefore, the needs for mental health services are evident simply because of the psychological stressors they face due to poverty, immigration, and acculturation. Although the need for metal health services is noticeable, researches suggest they underuse these services because of 3 in particular hypotheses. First, Mexican Americans have low incidences of mental health services. Second, there is a lack of institutional barriers such as: lack of Spanish speaking counselors, finances, and lack of ethnically similar counselors. Lastly, culturally barrier theory, otherwise known as acculturation and Mexican values.

The dual identity model embraces both majority and minority groups’ commonalities and their unique cultural differences; and it encourages both groups to take meaningful steps toward better acculturation. Researchers found that members of minority groups with a dual identity who identify with their minority group and acknowledge majority culture tend to be well adjusted, embraced diversity and engaged in healthier life style (Dovidio, Gaertner, & Saguy, 2009). Proposed dual identity model could be a suitable approach for promoting better acculturation among majority and minority groups, particularly in American multicultural context. Likewise, researchers also emphasized that “multiculturalism is becoming a model of partial assimilation, in which participating cultures maintain unique aspects of their culture, such as language, customs and beliefs” (Okun, Fried, & Okun, 1999, p. 214). Improved intercultural relations in a multicultural context will allow many immigrant and minority groups to fully participate in the acculturation process while maintaining their own cultural identities and respecting their cultural

Alba and Nee, however, found “value” to it and progressed the theory by redefining the mainstream; they adopted the idea that the mainstream is constantly redefined through incorporation of new cultures to accompany the shift in culture, thereby creating the composite culture. They now incorporated many cultures that were not thought to be hegemonic to the mainstream, such as working class, and poor class. Though the new assimilation theory followed the trend of valuing the multiculturalism, the authors provided too vague and large definition of the

Acculturation is a term we discussed in class that refers to the process of assimilating into the dominant culture. I believe acculturation generates a culture of discrimination and bias. For example, in the 19th and 29th centuries immigrants adopted the “WASP” core culture in the United States. The core society deemed other cultures to be inferior and Immigrants were expected to discard their culture of origin. This is an arrogant idea because it presumes we should all adapt to one culture. The very idea of acculturation is dangerous because it propagates discrimination. America is known as a melting pot, but I do not think it means to forsake our ethnicity. In fact, I think it is a contradiction to the true meaning of America.

For the past few days, our class has been discussing themes that arise in Jhumpa Lahiri’s short story, Hell-Heaven. In our discussion, something that interested me was the conflict of acculturation on Usha. Acculturation is the act of one “modifying their culture…due to the prolonged contact” to a dominant place or people.

Serg Gruzinski, author of Individualization and Acculturation…, discusses the history of sexuality in both the western world and indigenous society. We find that the Roman Catholic Church played a huge role in the sixteenth century to the eighteenth century which explains why we have the social norms we have today. Christian roles and expectations replaced Aztec traditional roles. For example, the Christian community encouraged a specific lifestyle when it came to marital relationships, that once married, family nor communities could no longer interfere in the marriage. Aztec society included close community ties where they had matchmakers, seek outside advice regarding family issues, etc.

With over seventy five million immigrants coming into the United States since it first became a nation, several theories have resulted. This chapter looks at assimilation, amalgamation, and accommodation. The values of the dominant culture includes how those in America should look, speak, and act. However, when these standards are not met by the immigrants it becomes difficult for them to fit in comfortably. On the other hand, diversity allows for greater possibilities and unexpected relationships to form.

One of the most important concepts that I have learned from class is Assimilation Theory. This theory is based on the adaptation that a certain ethnic group goes through in order to fit in and survive in the new dominant society. For example, according to the book the United States in known to be a predominantly white cultural society, therefore many ethnic groups from all over who choose to come to the U.S often have to assimilate and adapt to the social and cultural norms. Assimilation theory affects many ethnic groups in sense that it can change the way they behave and live in a society. Whenever another ethnic

Acculturation is the process of how a person or a group of people adapt into another culture by taking small pieces of that culture into their own culture. It is the idea of blend in with another culture, other than your own. For example, my family and relatives came to the United States for a little over 10 years now and some of the family members have assimilated into the American culture by beginning to celebrate the holidays, during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Further, we are remaining embedded in the ethnic of being Hmong. Many of us decided to come to America to obtain a better lifestyle, and the America society has greatly impact our life to assimilate into the American culture.

This paper will weigh if there is a relationship between the psychological constructs of cultural identity and well-being. First there will be a consideration on what defines a cultural identity and how it fits in with psychological development and well-being. Followed by an explanation of different perspectives of well-being.

If I was an international traveler or an intercultural trainer within my organization and I had to train a group of people going to India about the culture. I will first start off by saying I know you guys are not use to the enculturation of India. According to lecture enculturation means the process which your native culture is acquired. To explain it to my groups members very thoroughly I would say “I know you guys are not of custom or practice the India culture but you guys have to acculturation to the culture of India”. The word acculturation from lecture class means the process by which you learn and adapt to other cultures. That’s what exactly the group of people I’m training going to have to do. At first it’s going to be a major culture shock for the group of people I’m training because they know nothing about how to handle culture in India but, I’m pretty sure my group is going to acculturation to the culture of India.