Acculturation

J. W. Powell (John Wesley Powell) coined the word acculturation in 1880, defining it as “ the
psychological changes induced by cross – cultural imitation”. Acculturation is a process in which
members of one group adopt the belief and behaviour of another group. It is usually in the direction
of a minority group adopting habits and language patterns of the dominant group. It may be in the
form of change in language, adoption of common attitudes and values, membership in common
social group and institutions. This cultural or psychological changes comes about through a long-
term process, sometimes taking years, sometimes generations or sometimes centuries. It involves
a natural accommodation leading to long-term adaptation between groups.

Different ways of acculturation

a) Assimilation – Assimilation occurs when individual adopt the cultural norms of a

dominant or host culture, over their original culture.
b) Separation - Separation occurs when individual reject the dominant or host culture in
favour of preserving their culture of origin. Separation is often facilitated by immigration
to ethnic claves.
c) Integration – Integration occurs when individuals are able to adopt the cultural norms of
the dominant or host culture while maintaining their culture of origin. Integration leads to,
and is often synonymous with biculturalism.
d) Marginalization – Marginalization occurs when individuals reject both their culture of
origin and the dominant host culture.

Enculturation

The term enculturation was coined by William. F. Ogburn in his work “ Social change with
respect to culture and original nature” in 1922. Enculturation is defined as the individual
acquisition of a particular culture by himself or herself. Once a person born in the world, he or
she follows the culture that surround him or her. This process of gaining cultural traits is called
enculturation. Enculturation helps to learn how to live in the society by the acquisition of social
values and norms ( socialization ). Like social values, norms, arts, beliefs, customs, traditions,
food pattern, clothing style and many more things that are needed to survive in the particular
 society. Parents, relatives, peers, colleagues and other social members helps one to acquire
their necessary social skills.

Difference between Enculturation & Acculturation

Enculturation Acculturation
Enculturation is the acquisition of one’s own Acculturation is the amalgamation of two
culture cultures
Enculturation is an essential requirement for Acculturation is not an essential requirement for
survival survival
Enculturation is the very first familiarization Acculturation is not the first but second or third
process to a particular culture familiarization to various cultures
Enculturation is the inheritance of cultural Acculturation is the adoption of cultural
tradition tradition

Cultural Inertia

The term cultural inertia was coined by Michael Zarate. Cultural inertia is the tendency of a
group of people to cling to traditions and ways of thinking that have outlived their usefulness
even when better ways are presented. The customary way of life and cultural values have been
laid so deeply in their nature, that any external elements does not find a chance to become a
part of their culture. Such a way of life does not accept social change due to cultural inertia. In
cultural inertia, the dominant group is stable and resist social change.

Cultural Diffusion

The term cultural diffusion was first conceptualized by Alfred. L. Kroeber in his influential
paper “Stimulus Diffusion” in 1940. According to him “ Cultural diffusion is the spread of
cultural items such as ideas, styles, religions, technologies, languages etc. between individuals,
whether with in a single culture or from one culture to another”. Cultural diffusion means
spreading ideas from one culture to another.

Cultural diffusion is not always be a good thing. As sometimes it can lead to displacement
of nature, cultural traditions and it can even be dangerous. Cultural diffusion has become
 common in current society and it happen all over the world from food to new technologies.
Cultural diffusion can be positive or negative. Many culture have been benefited from cultural
exchange.

Kinds of cultural diffusion

a) Direct diffusion : Direct diffusion occurs when two cultures are very close to each other.
Diffusion as a result of inter caste marriage, trade and foreign invasion. Direct diffusion of
culture occurs when two distinct cultures are very close together. Over time, direct contact
between the two leads to an intermingling of the cultures.
b) Forced diffusion : It occurs when one culture overpower ( conquers or enslaves ) another
culture and forces its own customs on the conquered people.
Eg : Forced religious conversion
c) Indirect diffusion : It happens when traits are passed from one culture through a
middleman to another culture, without the first and final cultures ever being in direct
contact. Technology, mass media, internet, education etc. are playing a huge role in
promoting this type of cultural diffusion around the world today.

Disadvantages of cultural diffusion

• Loss of cultural identity, tradition and language.

• Sometimes conflict occur when different culture came into contact.

Cultural Lag

The term cultural lag was first introduced by eminent sociologist William. F. Ogburn in his
work “ Social change with respect to culture and original nature” in 1922. He holds that culture
always keep changing in terms of time. According to Ogburn changes in culture were always
congruent with economic changes. Cultural lag exists when two or more social variables were once
in same form of agreement become disassociated and maladjusted by their differential rate of
change. So cultural lag refers to the time between the appearance of a new material invention and
appropriate adjustments in corresponding areas of non – material culture or otherwise cultural lag
is the imbalance of adjustment between material and non – material culture.
 Material culture means those includes tools, machines, science, transport and technology. Non
– material culture includes beliefs, practices, customs, traditions, morals, values, religion etc. The
word ‘lag’ denotes ‘crippled move'. According to Ogburn changes are quick in material culture
which stimulates changes in non – material culture. But non – material culture may be slow to
respond giving rise to a gap or lag between material and non – material culture. This gap is called
cultural lag. Due to the conflicting tendency of society, adaptation of new technology becomes
very difficult. Cultural lag creates a number of problems for a society. Sometimes cultural lag
continues for many years. It may retard the progress of the society. For example, during 1990s in
Kerala, the people were against introduction of computers and opposed computerization. It is one
of the main function of education to bridge the gap between the technical culture and value culture.
Ethnocentrism

The term ethnocentrism was coined by William Graham Sumner in 1906. It is described as a
prejudicial attitude between in group and out group by which our attitudes, customs and behaviours
are unquestionably and uncritically treated as superior to their social arrangements and fact that
other cultures are inferior. Ethnocentrism is particularly strong in isolated societies that have little
contact with other culture.

Advantages

• Promote unity, loyalty and morality of a group.

• Develop nationalism and patriotism in the mind of learner.
• It promote stability in society

Disadvantages

• It is hurdle for progress

• It narrow down the national and international outlook and spirit.