What Is Assimilation in Psychology?

Assimilation refers to a process in which we incorporate information or experiences into ourselves. The process helps us to cope with the demands of our environment. Assimilation is also an important phase of acculturation, which is how we adapt to a new culture.

It is a phase of acculturation

Assimilation is the process of assimilating into a new culture. This process can vary widely among individuals. Some individuals reject the values and norms of the dominant culture, while others adjust to it. Psychologists are interested in the ways people adjust to new cultures.

Although the process of acculturation can be a slow process, it can be accelerated or sped up through the use of physical force or social pressure. While physical force is often involved, social pressure is more common. During acculturation, people may adopt the language and culture of the host culture.

There are a variety of psychological theories about acculturation. Early interest in the concept stemmed from European colonial populations, but the field eventually turned to studying immigrants and receiving societies. More recently, researchers have focused on the integration of different ethnocultural groups into plural societies. The process of acculturation has become more complicated as globalization increases trade and political ties. In addition, indigenous national populations face neocolonization and the influx of new migrants creates large ethnic communities within many nations.

It helps a child deal with the demands of the environment

Assimilation is an important cognitive process that helps a child deal with the demands of his environment. According to Piaget, this process helps a child acquire new knowledge and organize it to make sense of the world. In addition, it helps a child adjust his or her behavior to new information. For example, if a child grows up in a loving environment, he or she is likely to develop a positive world view. On the other hand, a child in a threatening environment may develop a worldview that is dangerous and harmful.

Assimilation involves the development of mental structures, such as schema, that help children deal with the demands of their environment. A child may not have the necessary skills to handle a novel situation, but he or she can experiment and adapt his or her schema to the new situation. This is called accommodation and happens when a child observes a new animal, such as a cat, in a park.

It helps a child adjust to a new culture

Assimilation is the process of adding new information to an existing schema. For example, a child may have an existing schema of a tree: green and big. It may include its bark and leaves. The child may also have an existing schema of how a tree is used during the Christmas season. Assimilation can help a child adjust to a new culture by building on previous knowledge and experiences.

According to Berry’s model of acculturation, a child may develop a sense of belonging to the culture of both their Home culture and the host culture. Depending on the child’s acculturation process, the child will have varying levels of psychological health: the best case scenario is bi-cultural integration, while the worst case scenario is cultural separation and marginalization. Different acculturation strategies can also be used according to a child’s age and gender.

Children begin to identify with their cultural identity around age three or four. This identity is formed by interactions with the child’s family, teachers, and community. By age seven, a child is more aware of group dynamics around race and culture.