Multiculturalism, Assimulation and Acculturation

Quiz – What are Multiculturalism, Assimilation and Acculturation?

True or False? If FALSE, write the TRUE answer.

 

1.       A Multicultural society can be described as a society with a single set of values.	False A Multicultural society can be described as a society with a multiple set of values.
2.       A “salad bowl” represents varied and separate cultures.	true
3.       One aspect of Multiculturalism is respecting different cultures.	true
4.       Cultural Diversity can be represented by a “melting pot”	False Assimilation can be represented by a “melting pot”
5.       Acculturation means learning the culture of your birth country.	False Acculturation means learning the culture of your host country.

 

Define in your own words:

1.       “Melting Pot”           A place where immigrants of different cultures or races form an integrated society

2.       “Salad Bowl”             Each culture keeps its own distinct qualities   

3.       “Assimilation”           The blending or fusing of minority groups into the dominant society

4.       “Acculturation”         Is the exchange of cultural features that results when groups of individuals having different cultures come into continuous first hand contact; the original cultural patterns of either or both groups may be altered, but the groups remain distinct

5.       “Enculturation”        Is the process by which a person learns the requirements of the culture by which he or she is surrounded, and acquires values and behaviours that are appropriate or necessary in that culture    

Complete the sentence with words from the text:

Acculturation often results in changes to ___culture_________________, ___________psychological____________and _______________behaviour____________________, as well as changes in food, _____clothes_______________ and _______langauge___________________________.

Give a synonym:

varied	diverse	respect	honor	dominate	control
multiple	many	central	main	interacting	cooperating
specific	exactly	represents	Show	adopt	except

 

Give the opposite:

varied	simmer	respect	disrespect	gradually	instantly
multiple	single	common	rare	dominant group	Minority group
specific	random	contrasted with	In similarity with	adopt	Abandon

 

Culture and Personality in Anthropology

 

Read the section about Culture and Personality in Anthropology. Answer these questions about that section:-

1.       Define “Anthropology” in your own words                                                                                            The scientific study of the origin, the behavior, and the physical, social, and cultural development of humans

 

2.       Define “movement” in this context

3.       What do you understand by “socialization of children” Give an example

Is teaching them about their mother country

4.       Read this sentence again and give examples of childrearing in different societies and cultures: “socialization creates personality patterns. It helps shape people’s emotions, thoughts, behaviors, cultural values and norms to fit into and function as productive members in the surrounding human society. The study of culture and personality demonstrates that different socialization practices such as childrearing in different societies (cultures) result in different personality types.”

An example of childrearing in different societies would be; in my society we are encouraged not to interact with women and to be segregated, whereas in western society it is different and men and women mix everyday.

5.       Read this sentence again and say to what extent you agree: “all humans are the same when born, but childrearing in different societies causes deviations in behavior and personalities from each other.”

I agree fully with this statement as I truly believe that we are all born the same and that it is the way we are brought up that shapes us as a person.  We are brought up with values and respect, but if we did not have these guidelines then we would be completely different people today.

 

6.       Reflect on the reading above. Can you see a link between your culture and your personality? Think about that in relation to your own culture first, and then think about personality and culture in a different society. Reflect. Give examples.

In my culture we are taught mainly about respect and tolerance. We are brought up with strong values and guidelines in relation to religion. As religion is a huge part of my culture and beliefs, I cherish my values and therefore I am the person I have become today.