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## Chapter 2: Criminology ## Chapter 3: Social Influence ### 3.3 Acculturation **How can adapting to a new culture affect our behavior?** (a) Acculturation: An Introduction It is important to note that acculturation refers to any change in attitudes or values as a result of interaction with a...

## Chapter 2: Criminology ## Chapter 3: Social Influence ### 3.3 Acculturation **How can adapting to a new culture affect our behavior?** (a) Acculturation: An Introduction It is important to note that acculturation refers to any change in attitudes or values as a result of interaction with a new culture. It is not synonymous with assimilation, which means to adopt the norms of the new culture and remove oneself from the original culture. The previous topic's aim was to show you why some cultures may have different values than others: our cultural environment shapes and molds who we are. Just one way that this can happen. But in our modern world people are more mobile than they have ever been and for any number of reasons. As the movement of people across cultures is common and can have significant effects. This may happen at any age and for any number of reasons. As the movement of people across cultures is common and can have significant effects. Acculturation refers to the process of changes to an individual as a result of interaction with a new culture (e.g. moving from one culture to another) (Berry, 2002), Naturally, this process of acculturation can have an influence on our thinking and our behavior. * **Assimilate:** Which means they do not wish to maintain their original culture's norms or values and choose to adapt the norms of their new culture. * **Separation:** Which means they might reject the new culture and develop a stronger sense of their original cultural identity. * **Integration:** Where someone maintains their original culture and participates in the new culture (Berry, 2002). While enculturation refers to the process of adopting cultural norms as a result of living within an original cultural environment (for example, where you were born), acculturation refers to the process of changes to an individual as a result of interaction with other cultures (e.g. moving from one culture to another) (Berry, 2002). Naturally, this process of acculturation can have an influence on our thinking and our behavior. Acculturation can have many different outcomes, both positive and negative. There are also different acculturation strategies that people may adopt as they come into contact with a new culture. If you're an international student or have parents who were migrants, you probably already know that the process of interacting with a new culture can be stressful. For example, if you have to learn a new language or customs that are unfamiliar and you feel pressured to do so, it might bring about negative psychological outcomes, like depression and anxiety. It's common to experience negative reactions to the process of acculturation and this is called **acculturative stress**. This stress results from negative experiences and pressures of acculturation is one of many factors that acculturation may influence behavior. There are also many factors that may contribute to acculturative stress. As discrimination is a common theme that runs throughout this chapter, we'll look at how discrimination may affect acculturative stress and the psychological effects this may have on an individual. Discrimination can be defined as any "...negative attitude, judgment, or treatment of members of a particular group" (Williams, Spencer, & Jackson, 2002). Discrimination is a common source of acculturative stress and it is a common source of acculturative stress for many individuals. For example, many experience outward and overt racism like being called them names or being told that they are unwelcome. If discrimination is common to a country, for example, it might be difficult to find a place to live or even find a job. If you imagine, this acculturative stress might have negative psychological effects on you as an