How is culture acquired?
enculturation
acculturation
assimilation
legislation
Culture is primarily acquired through the processes of enculturation and acculturation. Here’s a brief overview of each term:
Enculturation: This is the process by which individuals learn and adopt the values, norms, customs, and behaviors of their own culture, typically through socialization within their family, community, and society. It begins in early childhood and continues throughout life as individuals interact with their cultural environment.
Acculturation: This refers to the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group, often occurring when individuals from one culture come into contact with another culture. This can happen through immigration, colonization, or globalization, and it may involve changes in language, customs, and social practices.
Assimilation: This is a more specific form of acculturation where individuals or groups from one culture adopt the practices and beliefs of another culture to the extent that they become indistinguishable from members of that culture. This often involves a loss of the original cultural identity.
Legislation: While laws and policies can influence cultural practices and norms, legislation itself is not a process of acquiring culture. Instead, it can be a tool for promoting or regulating cultural practices.
In summary, enculturation and acculturation are the primary processes through which culture is acquired, with assimilation being a related but distinct concept.