Phenomenon Of Acculturation

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One of the core variables in this study closely relates to the phenomenon of acculturation. The definition of term first was presented by Redfield, Linton, & Herskovits in their Memorandum for the Study of Acculturation (1936) where they claimed that “acculturation comprehends those phenomena which result when groups of individuals having different cultures come into continuous first-hand contact with subsequent changes in the original culture patterns of either or both groups” (p.149). Although the first definition suggested that change could possibly occur in both groups, Berry in his Psychology of Acculturation (1990a) argued that acculturation tends to change one group more than the other.
The process of acculturation is acknowledged to …show more content…

The first is also called “cultural maintenance” and it refers to how much a person sees his original cultural identity as something that needs to be preserved. “Receiving-culture acquisition” meanwhile, refers to extent to which a person is willing to involve himself with other cultural groups. According to this bidimensional approach, four acculturation patterns can possibly emerge: assimilation, where limited interest and involvement is made to maintain the heritage culture alongside a high level of involvement with the receiving culture. Separation, in which there is high involvement in maintaining the heritage culture and low involvement with the receiving culture. Marginalization, in which there is low involvement in both cultures. Integration, or biculturalism, in which there is high involvement in both heritage and receiving cultures (Berry, Phinney, Sam, & Vedder, …show more content…

In some studies the effects encompass psychological distress and mood states (Berry, Phinney, Sam, & Vedder, 2006; Sam, 2006). In general, the effects of acculturation on psychological adjustment are studied within a stress and coping theoretical perspective, where psychological adjustment is viewed as an outcome of efforts to cope with the demands of the acculturation process (Berry, 2006). Nguyen and Benet- Martínez (2013) showed that integrated individuals tended to be significantly better adjusted than those who were oriented to only one culture. Several studies have demonstrated how acculturation can affect immigrants’ psychological adjustment in areas such a parenting, college performance and attachment avoidance. For example, parenting was shown to be positively correlated with how acculturated the parents were (Costigan, C. L., & Koryzma, C. M., 2011). Stress associated with acculturation affects person’s level of anxiety and depression (Crockett et al.,

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