What does acculturation refer to?

Acculturation refers to the process where individuals or groups adjust their behaviors and practices to align more closely with the dominant culture while still retaining elements of their original cultural background. This means that individuals may adopt certain practices, values, or customs from the new culture, but they do not completely abandon their own cultural identity. Instead, they find a balance that allows them to function within the new cultural context while also honoring their original heritage.

This concept is important in understanding how multicultural societies function and how individuals navigate their identities in diverse environments. It emphasizes the coexistence of cultures rather than the conflict or replacement of one culture by another. In contrast, other choices do not capture this dual adjustment aspect; they suggest complete abandonment of the original culture or imply a static learning that does not involve any adaptation.