Acculturation

The term acculturation refers to the process of transformation that occurs when two or more individuals or groups from different cultures come into contact, resulting in the adoption, adaptation, or rejection of values, beliefs, and practices by one or all groups. While acculturation includes changes in the receiving community as a result of contact with a foreign group, the term is most often used to describe the process many immigrants or minorities go through when establishing themselves in a new culture or environment. The process of acculturation may differ from group to group and may vary also depending on the characteristics of the host or [Page 6]majority culture. This entry provides an overview of the acculturation process among immigrants living in the United States.