ACCULTURATION

Definition
Acculturation is a process in which members of one cultural group adopt the beliefs and behaviors of another group. Although acculturation is usually in the direction of a minority group adopting habits and language patterns of the dominant group, accult uration can be reciprocal--that is, the dominant group also adopts patterns typical of the minority group. Assimilation of one cultural group into another may be evidenced by changes in language preference, adoption of common attitudes and values, members hip in common social groups and institutions, and loss of separate political or ethnic identification.

Measurement
The most comprehensive measure of acculturation for use in health services and epidemiological research in Mexican-American populations was developed by Hazuda et al. (1988). Hazuda's scales are based on a theoretical model that views acculturation as a multi-dimensional process involving language, cultural beliefs and values and "structural assimilation,"--the integration of members of the minority group into the social structure of the majority group. The following are the items included in Hazuda's a cculturation scales. Items in the Final Acculturation and Structural Assimilation Scales: San Antonio Heart Study, San Antonio, Texas 1979-82 (1) _____________________________________________________ Dimensions Measured, Scale Items, and Scale Score Ranges _____________________________________________________

Acculturation

I. Early childhood experience with English versus Spanish language 1. What was the first language you learned to speak? 2. What language was spoken in your home when you were a child? Scale range: 2-6 points II. Adult proficiency in English 1. In your opinion, how well do you understand spoken English? 2. In your opinion, how well do you speak English? 3. In your opinion, how well do you read English? Scale range: 3-12 points III. Adult pattern of English versus Spanish language usage 1. What language do you usually use with your spouse? 2. What language do you usually use with your children? 3. What language do you usually use with your parents?

4. What language do you usually use at family gatherings, such as Christmas or other holidays? 5. What language do you usually use with most of your friends? 6. What language do you usually with most of your neighbors? 7. What language do you usually use with most of the people at work? 8. In what language are the TV programs you watch? 9. In what language are the radio stations you watch? 10. In what language are the books and magazines you read? Scale range: 10-50 points IV. Value placed on preserving Mexican cultural origin 1. How important do you feel it is for your children to know something about the history of Mexico? 2. How important do you feel it is for your children to follow Mexican customs and ways of life? 3. How important do you feel it is for your children to celebrate Mexican holidays such as Cinco de Mayo or El Diez y seis de Septiembre? Scale range: 3-15 points V. Attitude toward traditional family structure and sex-role organization 1. Knowing your family ancestry or lineage, that is, tracing your family tree, is an important part of family life. 2. It is important to know your cousins, aunts, and uncles and to have a close relationship with them. 3. A person should remember other family members who have passed away on the anniversary of their death, All Soul's Day, or other special occasions. 4. Brothers have a responsibility to protect their sisters while they are growing up. 5. While they are growing up, sisters have an obligation to respect their brother's authority. 6. If they could live anywhere they wanted to, married children should live close to their parents so that they can help each other. 7. In the absence of the father, the most important decisions should be made by the eldest son rather than the mother, if the son is old enough. Scale range: 7-35 points

Structural Assimilation

I. Childhood interaction with members of mainstream society 1. When you were growing up, were your neighbors mostly Mexican American, mostly Anglo, or about equal numbers of each? 2. When you were growing up, were your schoolmates mostly Mexican American, mostly Anglo, or about equal numbers of each? 3. When you were growing up, were your close, personal friends mostly Mexican American, mostly Anglo, or about equal numbers of each? Scale range: 3-9 points II. Adult interaction with members of mainstream society

1. Throughout your adult life, have your neighbors been mostly Mexican American, mostly Anglo, or about equal numbers of each? 2. Throughout your adult life, have your close, personal friends been mostly Mexican American, mostly Anglo, or about equal numbers of each? 3. (Are the people with whom you work closely on the job/Are the people with whom you work closely on your last job) mostly Mexican American, mostly Anglo, or about equal numbers of each? Scale range: 3-9 points By contrast, the measure of acculturation used in the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES), 1982-1984, consisted of the following items (Solis et al., 1990): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. What language do you speak? What language do you prefer? What language do you read better? What language do you write better? What ethnic identification do you use? What ethnic identification does/did your mother use? What ethnic identification does/did you father use? Where was the birthplace of yourself, your mother, your father?

The ethnic identification items were only useful in discriminating different levels of acculturation among Mexican-Americans. Among Cubans and Puerto Ricans, there was not enough variability in answers to items 5-8 to permit meaningful distinctions among individuals within those groups. Click Here for your Assignment.

Acculturation and Health

Acculturation has been studied in relation to prevalence of chronic illnesses and utilization of health services. Aspects of the lifestyle of particular cultural groups (e.g., dietary habits, patterns of physical activity) may affect the development of s pecific diseases. Beliefs about causes, treatment, and prevention of illnesses may affect the utilization of health services. Because acculturation and socioeconomic status may be closely related in a particular community, research studies must be carefu l to distinguish acculturation effects from those that can be linked to income and education. Strong support for the hypothesis that acculturation explains a significant portion of health behavior among Hispanics is generally lacking. In most studies, acculturation is strongly associated with socioeconomic variables, such as education and income. When adjustments are made for socioeconomic status, the relationship between dimensions of acculturation and health status or health behavior weakens or disappears altogether. For example, in an analysis of the use

of preventive services (physical, den tal, eye examinations, Pap smear and breast exam) in the Hispanic HANES survey, Solis et al. (AJPH, 1990) found that utilization was predicted more strongly by access to care than by acculturation, after controlling for age education, and income. Althoug h language preference predicted utilization, the authors concluded that the language barrier should be viewed as another access variable, and not as a cultural factor.

Acculturation Model (John Schumann)

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Acculturation Model (John Schumann) Definition: Acculturation is the way people adapt to a new culture. The Schumann theory on acculturation is mainly based off the social factors experienced by those learning English as their second language within the mainstream culture. The factors determine the social distance between the second language learner and the mainstream culture in which they are living in. This distance between the learner and the mainstream culture in turn determine the rate of language acquisition. Schumann states that the degree to which a learner acculturates to the target language group will control the degree to which he acquires the second language (pg. 34). There are several social factors that Schumann accounts for the rate of second language acquisition. Limited integration of cultural groups Size of minority group the group is more self-sufficient the larger they are How tight-knit the group is The variance of characteristics between their culture and the mainstream culture Majority groups attitude towards the minority group Language learner expects to stay a short time in the country Motivation, culture shock and attitude of language learner Language learner and mainstream culture both view each other as equal Language learner and mainstream culture both desire assimilation

Critique/Classroom Implications When people from one culture move into an area dominated by another culture there are going to be changes or adaptations made by people on both sides. The non-majority culture will be making most of these changes. During this acculturation process there will inevitably be aspects of the native culture that will be lost. Although it will not be as drastic or damaging as assimilation, the effects cannot be avoided (Berry, 2008). Another possible critique is that students who maintain their culture in a society that is dominated by a different culture may feel alienated from others. This could lead to poor self-esteem and other social difficulties. One way to promote acculturation in the classroom is the help all students feel that their culture is appreciated and respected. Teachers can do this by inviting students to share different aspects of their culture with the class. This can be during cultural holidays, or any time.

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