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Acculturation
The core meaning of acculturation refers to the process of cultural and psychological change that takes place as a result of contact between cultural groups and their individual members. This definition serves as the basis for most subsequent work in the area of acculturation. Acculturation continues after initial contact and takes place in all groups (both nondominant and dominant) in contact. Many members of ethnocultural communities maintain features of their heritage cultures over generations and adopt features of the larger society in which they now live. In addition to these cultural changes, psychological acculturation takes place among individuals. This includes, first, behavioral changes, which can range from rather superficial (e.g., in food, dress) to more profound (e.g., in identities, values). Second, individuals adopt various ...
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