Table of Contents
Acculturation:
- Acculturation is the process in which the people of one culture adopts the culture of the other that is not originally their own.
- The original culture of the person changes due to adoption of the culture of the others.
- People who spend much of the time in the foreign are likely to adopt the foreign culture and hence are the examples of the acculturation.
- Acculturation is often seen in language, style of clothing, food habits, etc.
Enculturation:
Enculturation is the process by which an individual learns about his/her own culture. Enculturation is simply a process where a child learns about the own culture and adopts into it.
14 Differences between Acculturation and Enculturation are:
Acculturation |
Enculturation |
| Process of learning and adopting from the others culture. | It is the process of learning and adapting from own culture. |
| Process by which one’s culture becomes subsumed by other. | Process by which we acquire culture |
| Acculturation is not essential for survival but learnt when necessary | Enculturation is necessary and often occurs without influence |
| Acculturation leads to modification of culture or some amalgam. | There is no such modification |
| Acculturation begins when two cultures meet. | There is no need for the meet of two cultures for enculturation. |
| Acculturation for longer period of time leads to assimilation. (Assimilation is when one completely gives up own culture and follows the new one.) | There is no such risk of assimilation. |
| Acculturation usually doesn’t provides the acceptance and distinct identity. | An individual is fully accepted in enculturation process |
| Acculturation is basically done with a motive. | The foundation for enculturation is positive reinforcement |
| Acculturation is not the first but second or third familiarization to various cultures | Enculturation is the very first familiarization process to a particular culture and begins right after the birth. |
| Acculturation is necessary for the better adaptation in foreign surrounding. | Enculturation teaches an individual of his/her position, roles, expectations and behaviors of the particular culture in which he/she lives in. |
| Acculturation is common among those who are far from their native land, among the refugee, migrants, etc. | Enculturation can be seen among the child trying best to follow is culture consciously or unconsciously through learning, observing, etc. |
| Dominant culture has the influence over the other | No any other culture’s presence makes difference |
| Example:
American (or any other) mother who just migrated to China teaching her children to use chopstick. |
Example:
Chinese mother teaching her child to use a chopstick. |
| Marriage is the other example of assimilation where the bride best adapts into her new surrounding by application of the mixture of cultural that she learnt and is learning. | A child innocently copying his parents or grandparents worshiping, the way of eating, talking, greeting, etc. |
References and for more information:
https://www.thoughtco.com/acculturation-definition-3026039
https://study.com/academy/lesson/acculturation-definition-theory-examples.html
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-18057-1_4
https://psychologenie.com/enculturation-meaning-examples
https://study.com/academy/lesson/enculturation-definition-examples.html
https://www.themantic-education.com/ibpsych/2017/11/24/how-do-we-explain-enculturation/
https://study.com/academy/lesson/comparing-enculturation-acculturation.html
http://pediaa.com/difference-between-enculturation-and-acculturation/
https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-enculturation-and-vs-acculturation/
https://www.sociologylearners.com/difference-between-acculturation-and-enculturation/
https://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/encultur.htm
https://www.sociologylearners.com/types-of-socialization/
https://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/encultur.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkpfZZ6hubY
