Understanding Acculturation in Multicultural Counseling

ACCULTURATION Acculturation Julie Wilson University of West Alabama CO 547: Multicultural Counseling Midterm Project Dr. Patrick Davis

ACCULTURATION 2 Acculturation One of the more commonly used terms in multicultural counseling is the term acculturation. The term acculturation can be best defined as the cultural contact and exchange process in which someone or a collective chooses to adopt practices and values of a new culture rather than practice from their own culture (Fox et al., 2017). According to an article (Perdersen et al., 2016), acculturation is often a process of minority cultures who are joining a majority culture in a new country. Research suggests this is a mutual phenomenon known as a bidirectional process. What this indicates is that this process is not limited to a minority taking in the majority culture, but the majority may take in characteristics from the minority cultures as well. Over the years, alternative definitions have been created, some of which sound similar or at least have the same overall message. Of the few definitions, one of them describes acculturation as adopting the beliefs, behaviors, values, and attitudes of another culture (Faber et. al, 1987). While this term is a brief description of acculturation, it fails to mention that the person who is adapting is neglecting their original cultural practices. This term can be slightly misleading as it may imply that the person practices both cultures instead. A more simplified way to say this, which is preferred, is to say that acculturation means combining multiple cultures because of expansive exposure from another culture. This is preferred because it indicates the true meaning of acculturation in a brief and easily understood way. Individuals who wish to learn more about acculturation can browse the internet for websites that provide more information on Multicultural matters. One great resource that provides an in-depth review of acculturation and why it occurs is found here at this website https://www.thoughtco.com/acculturation-definition-3026039 . Another great source is

ACCULTURATION 3 https://www.ibpsychmatters.com/acculturation because it has extensive examples, quizzes, and videos that may be helpful for people who learn better through practice and visualization. There are also websites that allow the person to check his or her own biases through brief quizzes. One example of a website with a “Check Your Own Bias Test” can be found at https://www.learningforjustice.org/professional-development/test-yourself-for-hidden-bias . This is a great tool to utilize to understand the biases that may or may not be overlooked. Acculturation can be a common area of exploration in multicultural counseling. When individuals feel like they must disregard their own cultural identity or minimize their cultural identity, in can lead to feelings of shame, doubt, and inadequacy. People should be encouraged to celebrate their heritage and practice their beliefs without the fear of oppression or shame. It is encouraged that people further their knowledge on this topic to understand the meaning and consequences of acculturation.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

ACCULTURATION 4 References Faber, R. J., O'Guinn, T. C., & McCarty, J. A. (1987). ProQuest | Databases, EBooks and Technology for Research . Fox M, Thayer Z, Wadhwa PD. Acculturation and health: the moderating role of socio-cultural context. Am Anthropol. 2017 Sep;119( 3 ):405-421. doi: 10.1111/aman.12867. Epub 2017 Aug 14. PMID: 28966344; PMCID: PMC5617140. Pedersen, P., Lonner, W. J., Draguns, J. G., Trimble, J. E., & María R Scharrón-Del Río. (2016). Counseling across cultures . Sage.

Acculturation

Related Documents