Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

What does acculturation refer to?

1. The process of genetic adaptation

2. The integration of cultural beliefs from a dominant culture

3. The emotional response to cultural diversity

4. The genetic inheritance of cultural traits

The correct answer is: The integration of cultural beliefs from a dominant culture

Acculturation refers to the process where individuals or groups adopt cultural traits or social patterns of another group, particularly the dominant culture. This often involves integrating beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors from the dominant culture while potentially retaining some aspects of the original culture. Acculturation is not about genetic factors or inheritance; instead, it is a social process influenced by interactions between different cultures, highlighting the changes that occur due to the influence of a predominant culture. The concept does not focus on emotional responses to cultural diversity or purely genetic adaptations, as it is fundamentally concerned with cultural exchange and the assimilation of cultural traits. Thus, the emphasis on integrating cultural beliefs from a dominant culture accurately captures the essence of acculturation.