ACCULTURATION

 

Sociologist Kroeber describes Acculturation as follows: ‘Acculturation comprises those changes produced in a culture by the influence of another culture which results in the increased similarity of the two’.

It is a process in which members of one cultural group accept and adopt beliefs and behaviors of another group.

Absorption of one’s cultural group into another may be evidenced by changes in language preference, adoption of common norms and values, membership in common social groups and loss of separate political or ethnic identification.

The process of Acculturation tends to be slow and gradual. According to some sociologists, researchers and scholars, Acculturation is the strongest instrument of cultural change and transformation.

Two major types of acculturation are incorporation and directed change. They can be distinguished on the basis of the conditions under which cultural contact and change take place.

Characteristics of Acculturation

Acculturation is a social process. It helps us understand social change.

Acculturation is the impact of a dominant prestige loaded society, which influences backward people and vice versa.

Acculturation may result in the disappearance of the minority group and their culture completely.