Which term describes the process by which a minority group gradually adopts the majority culture?

• A. Bi-cultural
• B. Acculturation
• C. Assimilation
• D. Accommodation

Answer: (C)

Assimilation describes the process by which members of a minority group gradually adopt the language, norms, values, and customs of the dominant culture, often resulting in the minority losing distinctive cultural traits and becoming more closely aligned with the majority. In social work, this concept helps explain how individuals adapt to a new society—language shift, changes in behavior, and shifts in identity and social roles—though it can raise questions about cultural preservation and wellbeing. Acculturation, while related, is the broader process of cultural change from contact that can lead to assimilation but also to living with two cultures or maintaining a distinct minority culture. Bi-cultural refers to maintaining two cultures simultaneously, not fully adopting the majority culture. Accommodation centers on adjusting to differences and making space without necessarily adopting the dominant culture. Therefore, the term that best fits gradual adoption of the majority culture is assimilation.