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A motivational framework of acculturation.
Allon Vishkin1, Gabriel Horenczyk2, Pazit Ben-Nun Bloom3
1Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 500 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA.
Brain and Behavior
|June 24, 2021
Summary
Acculturation involves both the desire to maintain heritage culture and adopt a new one. Successful adaptation depends on aligning these motivations with the actual strategies used for cultural engagement.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Cultural Studies
Background:
- Existing acculturation models lack a clear distinction between motivations and the means to achieve them.
- Acculturation is a complex, motivated process influenced by cultural engagement strategies.
- Understanding acculturation requires a framework that integrates motivational theories and goal constructs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and test a motivational framework for understanding acculturation.
- To differentiate between acculturation motivations and the means employed for cultural adaptation.
- To examine the relationship between acculturation motivations, means, and outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A motivational framework informed by goal construct theories was developed.
- The model was empirically tested on two distinct immigrant samples.
- Data were collected from immigrants to Israel and immigrants to Britain.
Main Results:
- Motivation to preserve heritage culture was linked to specific means of heritage preservation.
- Motivation to adopt host culture was linked to specific means of host culture adoption.
- Acculturation outcomes were predicted by the congruence between acculturation motivations and means.
Conclusions:
- A motivational framework offers valuable insights into the acculturation process.
- The distinction between motivations and means is crucial for understanding cultural adaptation.
- Findings have theoretical and practical implications for immigrant integration and support.
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