ACCULTURATION

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• The concept of ‘Acculturation’ was first published by John Wesley Powel, an American geologist in 1880.
  • He defined ‘Acculturation’ as the psychological changes generated in individuals due to interaction with different cultures.
• In the Modern world, acculturation is defined as the process in which an individual or community from one culture comes in contact with another culture, and this interaction results in adopting the values and practices of the other culture while maintaining their own identity.
  • It is opposite to the concept of ‘Assimilation’ in which individuals and groups adopt a new culture that nearly replaces their native culture.
• It is a two-way process.
  • Example: When a minority group migrates to a new society or between a majority group, then the minority culture adopts elements of the majority to fit in and the culture of the majority is also influenced by that of the minority.
• It affects different parts of life, including dietary patterns, fashion, art, architecture, work culture, and literature.
  • It occurs at both individual and group levels, as well as between majority or minority groups in society.
• Based on the strategies adopted by individuals or groups, acculturation may result in;
  • Rejection
  • Integration
  • Marginalization
  • Transmutation
• Rejection: Sometimes an individual or group comes in contact with a new cultural group, but they do not embrace the new cultural elements and maintain their own identity without being ‘contaminated’ by the values and norms of another culture.
  • This kind of rejection of a new culture and maintaining one’s traditions generally occurs in culturally or racially segregated societies.
• Integration: an individual or group adapts to a new culture while maintaining their native culture. Sometimes cultural adoption is believed to be important for the smooth functioning of society.
  • This strategy is used in a multicultural society.
• Marginalization: It occurs when individuals or groups hardly interact with a new cultural group.
  • It results in the isolation of the individual or group, pushing them to the corners of society.
• Transmutation: In this process value is given to both strategies, maintaining one’s own culture while also adopting elements of a new culture.
  • In this case, a mix of two cultures creates a new unique culture that is accepted by both individuals and groups.
• Acculturation has become a part of our daily lives due to the multi-cultural nature of modern society.
  • It allows us to learn and understand various cultures and appreciate their differences.
• We need to understand that bitterness toward other cultures and the belief that one’s culture is superior can result in the marginalization and separation of different cultures, this ultimately disrupts the functioning of a society.
  • Therefore a cooperative exchange of cultures between diverse groups is crucial for a peaceful society.

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