Acculturation Measures

In light of the growing number of people of color represented in the 2000 U.S. Census, research in psychology is working to expand the field's understanding of the needs of ethnically and culturally diverse populations. Besides documenting differences in how people from diverse ethnic groups think, act, and believe, the most progressive research seeks not only to determine where important distinctions lie but also to demonstrate the meaning of group differences. Researchers have argued that the most meaningful difference, both between and within ethnic groups, is the value that an individual places on his or her culture. Recently, the measurement of that value has come in the form of acculturation measures. Designed to identify attachment to one's culture of origin, to a new culture, or ...