Assimilation vs. Acculturation: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Assimilation is when a minority group adopts the customs and attitudes of the dominant culture, while acculturation involves mutual cultural exchange between groups.
Key Differences
Assimilation occurs when individuals or groups adopt the culture and norms of another group, often losing aspects of their original culture. In contrast, acculturation allows for the retention of one's original cultural identity while adapting to another culture, promoting cultural diversity.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Assimilation often leads to the diminishing of one's native cultural identity as they conform to the dominant culture. Acculturation, however, involves adapting to a new culture while maintaining elements of the original culture, encouraging a blend of cultural practices.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
In assimilation, the minority group fully integrates into the dominant culture, sometimes at the expense of their cultural heritage. In acculturation, both cultures influence each other, resulting in a more diverse cultural landscape.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Assimilation can result in a loss of cultural diversity as it promotes uniformity. Acculturation, on the other hand, enhances cultural understanding and acceptance as it involves mutual cultural exchange.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Assimilation often implies a one-way process where a minority group conforms to the majority. Acculturation represents a two-way process, where both groups are open to and influenced by each other's cultural norms.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Cultural Identity
Loss of original cultural identity
Retention of original cultural identity
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Process Type
One-way integration into dominant culture
Two-way mutual cultural exchange
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Cultural Diversity
Often leads to reduced diversity
Encourages diversity and cultural blending
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Dominant Culture Influence
Complete adoption of dominant culture's norms
Adoption of some aspects of another culture
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Original Culture Influence
Minimal influence of original culture
Maintains influence of original culture
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Assimilation and Acculturation Definitions
Assimilation
The process of fully adopting and integrating into a new culture.
Immigrants often face assimilation into the local culture.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Acculturation
The blending of two or more cultures, leading to a new hybrid culture.
The city's cuisine is a result of acculturation from various immigrant influences.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Assimilation
The act of becoming similar to something.
His rapid assimilation of the language was impressive.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Acculturation
The process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group.
Acculturation has led to the adoption of new festivals in the community.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Assimilation
The blending of cultural groups into a single community.
The city's history is marked by the assimilation of various ethnic groups.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Acculturation
The mutual exchange of cultural features that results from continuous firsthand contact.
Acculturation between the immigrants and locals enriched both cultures.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Acculturation
The modification of an individual or group's culture through contact with another.
Acculturation often occurs in multicultural urban settings.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Acculturation
The process in which individuals from one cultural group adopt the habits of another.
Through acculturation, he adopted several customs from his international friends.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Assimilation
(Physiology) The conversion of nutriments into living tissue; constructive metabolism.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Acculturation
The modification of the culture of a group or individual as a result of contact with a different culture.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
(Linguistics) The process by which a sound is modified so that it becomes similar or identical to an adjacent or nearby sound. For example, the prefix in- becomes im- in impossible by assimilation to the labial p of possible.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Acculturation
The process by which the culture of a particular society is instilled in a human from infancy onward.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
The process whereby a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Acculturation
A process by which the culture of an isolated society changes on contact with a different one.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Acculturation
A process by which a person acquires the culture of the society that they inhabit, starting at birth.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Acculturation
The adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture;
The socialization of children to the norms of their culture
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
(by extension) The absorption of new ideas into an existing cognitive structure.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
(phonology) A sound change process by which the phonetics of a speech segment becomes more like that of another segment in a word (or at a word boundary), so that a change of phoneme occurs.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Acculturation
The process of assimilating new ideas into an existing cognitive structure
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
The adoption, by a minority group, of the customs and attitudes of the dominant culture.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
The act or process of assimilating or bringing to a resemblance, likeness, or identity; also, the state of being so assimilated; as, the assimilation of one sound to another.
To aspire to an assimilation with God.
The assimilation of gases and vapors.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
The conversion of nutriment into the fluid or solid substance of the body, by the processes of digestion and absorption, whether in plants or animals.
Not conversing the body, not repairing it by assimilation, but preserving it by ventilation.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
The state of being assimilated; people of different backgrounds come to see themselves as part of a larger national family
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
The social process of absorbing one cultural group into harmony with another
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
The process of absorbing nutrients into the body after digestion
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
A linguistic process by which a sound becomes similar to an adjacent sound
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
The process of assimilating new ideas into an existing cognitive structure
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
In the theories of Jean Piaget: the application of a general schema to a particular instance
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assimilation
The absorption and integration of people, ideas, or culture.
The assimilation of foreign cuisine has enriched local food culture.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Assimilation
The process of taking in and fully understanding information.
The assimilation of new concepts is crucial in education.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is assimilation in cultural terms?
It's the process of fully adopting the customs of a dominant culture.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Is acculturation a two-way process?
Yes, it involves cultural adaptation between two or more groups.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
How does acculturation differ from assimilation?
Acculturation involves mutual cultural exchange, unlike the one-way process of assimilation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Can assimilation be voluntary?
Yes, individuals can choose to assimilate into a new culture.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Does acculturation require giving up one's culture?
No, it allows for cultural adaptation while maintaining one's identity.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Are there negative aspects of assimilation?
It can lead to the erasure of cultural diversity and heritage.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Can assimilation lead to cultural loss?
Yes, it can result in the loss of one's original cultural identity.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Do people always assimilate when they move to a new country?
Not necessarily; some may choose to maintain their cultural identity.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Can acculturation occur in workplaces?
Yes, it happens when employees from different cultures share and adopt practices.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
How does acculturation affect personal identity?
It can lead to a blended identity, influenced by multiple cultures.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
How does acculturation impact society?
It enriches society by blending and respecting diverse cultural practices.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Can assimilation impact family dynamics?
Yes, especially when younger generations assimilate faster than older ones.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Is acculturation a factor in global business?
Absolutely, as businesses often adapt to cultural practices in different countries.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Does acculturation benefit multicultural communities?
Yes, it fosters understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Is language part of assimilation?
Yes, adopting the dominant language is a common aspect of assimilation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
What role do schools play in assimilation?
They often facilitate assimilation through language and cultural education.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Can food be a part of acculturation?
Yes, culinary practices are often shared and adopted in acculturation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Is assimilation always a smooth process?
No, it can be challenging and involve complex social dynamics.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
How does acculturation influence art and music?
It leads to hybrid art forms and musical styles, blending different cultural influences.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Does assimilation affect religious practices?
It can, as individuals may adopt the religious customs of the dominant culture.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Hifza Nasir
Shumaila Saeed
