Acculturation

Acculturation is most commonly described as adjusting to a new environment or culture. The process of acculturation can happen to anyone who travels, works, or lives in a new place. It includes short-term or long-term experiences in a new environment. Acculturation encompasses the psychological, social, and physiological aspects of adaptation to a culture. To acculturate, one must observe the new culture to learn patterns of behavior. Then an individual can modify one’s own behavior to “fit” in the new environment. Not everyone acculturates the same, and sometimes not at all, causing acculturative stress. This stress mentally affects individuals who are unable to adjust to the new environment. Changes from the home culture and host culture vary, but are part of the acculturation process. ...