Which term best describes the process by which a person adopts the customs and values of another culture?

• A. Acculturation
• B. Ethnic identity
• C. Feminist Identity Development
• D. Spiritual differentiation

Answer: (A)

Acculturation is the process of adopting the customs, values, norms, and behaviors of another culture through sustained intercultural contact. When someone moves into a new cultural context—such as immigrating or working closely with people from a different background—they may begin to adopt language, food, social etiquette, holidays, and ways of thinking that characterize that culture. This can range from partial adoption to full integration with both cultures.

Ethnic identity, in contrast, centers on one’s sense of belonging to a particular ethnic group rather than adopting another culture’s practices. Feminist identity development describes how a person comes to see themselves as feminist, not how they adapt to another culture. Spiritual differentiation is not a standard term describing cross-cultural adaptation. So acculturation best fits the idea of adopting another culture’s customs and values.