Topic 3.8

Essential Knowledge

• Cultural ideas, practices, and innovations change or disappear over time as they diffuse across space. 
• Diffusion leads to adaptation, blending, or sometimes loss of traditions. 

Key Effects of Cultural Diffusion 

• Acculturation
  • Definition: Process of cultural change when two groups come into contact. 
  • The weaker group adopts some traits of the dominant culture but maintains elements of its own. 
  • Example: Immigrant families speaking native language at home but using English in public. 
• Assimilation
  • Definition: When a minority culture is fully absorbed into a dominant culture, losing distinct traits. 
  • Can be voluntary or forced. 
  • Example: Native American children attending boarding schools in the U.S. in the 19th century. 
• Syncretism
  • Definition: Blending of cultural traits to form new practices or beliefs. 
  • Example: Dia de los Muertos in Mexico (Aztec + Catholic traditions); reggae music (African + Caribbean + European influences). 
• Multiculturalism
  • Definition: Existence of multiple cultural groups in one society with mutual respect. 
  • Example: Canada’s official multicultural policy supporting diverse immigrant communities. 

Outcomes of Diffusion: Convergence and Divergence 

• Cultural Convergence: Cultures become more alike due to globalization (e.g., global popularity of fast food, English as lingua franca). 
• Cultural Divergence: Cultures resist change to preserve traditions (e.g., Amish rejecting modern technology). 

Real World Examples:  

• Acculturation: Immigrant food restaurants adapting menus for local tastes. 
• Assimilation: Indigenous languages disappearing as younger generations adopt dominant languages. 
• Syncretism: Haitian Vodou (African + Catholic). 
• Multiculturalism: Festivals in Toronto celebrating multiple ethnic heritages. 

Contextualization

Video #1 

This video introduces the ideas of acculturation and assimilation 

Video #2: What is the Difference between Assimilation and Acculturation?  

This video speaks from a biased tone, but does provide a good understanding of why language matters and the difference between assimilation and acculturation, especially when discussing issues in immigration. 

Video #3: Acculturation in Disney Movies 

This is a student made video essay that provides a few great examples of how acculturation and assimilation are present in Disney films.  

Video #4: The ABCs of Assimilation 

This TED talk provides a personal narrative that discusses the experience of being expected to assimilate, and questions the idea of an American meltingpot.  

Video #5: Cultural Appropriate vs. Appreciation 

This video breaks down the issue of cultural appropriation, especially in the fashion industry.  

Video #6: Cultural Appropriate vs Appreciation- Real Life Situation #2 

In Practice

Essential Question:  

Explain how the process of diffusion results in changes to the cultural landscape. 

Conceptual Analysis: 

1. Compare acculturation and assimilation.  
2. Identify and describe the advantages and disadvantages of multiculturalism. Do the benefits outweigh the downsides? Explain.  
3. Explain how changes in regime affect toponyms.  

Vocabulary Review:  

Provide a shorthand working definition for each of the following terms. This means it needs to be in YOUR OWN WORDS. 

• Acculturation – adopting traits of another culture while keeping some of your own. 
• Assimilation – complete adoption of another culture, loss of original identity. 
• Syncretism – blending of cultural traits into something new. 
• Multiculturalism – coexistence of multiple cultures in a society. 
• Convergence – cultures becoming more alike. 
• Divergence – cultures preserving differences. 

MCQ

(You only need to write the letter of the answer that you select)

1.Which of the following best illustrates acculturation? 

A. Indigenous communities losing their languages entirely. 
B. An immigrant family celebrating traditional holidays while also observing national holidays of their new country. 
C. The blending of African rhythms and European instruments to create jazz. 
D. Government policies promoting cultural pluralism. 
E. Native peoples adopting Christianity but keeping no traditional practices. 

2.Which of the following is the best example of assimilation? 

A. Chinese immigrants in California opening restaurants that serve both Chinese and American-style dishes. 
B. A Canadian city hosting multicultural festivals for different immigrant groups. 
C. A Native American child in the 19th century being forced to abandon their language and traditions in a boarding school. 
D. The creation of reggae music as a blend of cultural influences. 
E. A community resisting outside influences to maintain its folk traditions. 

3.A society that officially supports and promotes the coexistence of multiple cultural groups is best described as practicing: 

A. Syncretism 
B. Assimilation 
C. Multiculturalism 
D. Acculturation 
E. Cultural convergence