Integration
entry by Julie M. Marx, Global Family Expert at Expat Valley
An acculturation strategy in which an individual maintains meaningful engagement with their heritage culture while simultaneously participating actively in the host culture. Identified in Berry’s framework as the outcome most consistently associated with positive psychological wellbeing among acculturating individuals, though its achievability depends significantly on the degree of openness of the receiving society.
Comparable terms
Biculturalism (research, education — equivalent outcome; emphasizes the dual cultural competence achieved) · Assimilation (Berry — contrasting strategy; heritage culture is relinquished in favour of host culture adoption) · Multiculturalism (policy — societal-level equivalent; describes a society structured to enable integration) · Acculturation (see separate entry — the broader process of which integration is one possible outcome)
Why this matters
Integration is the acculturation strategy most associated with positive wellbeing. It gives children and adults permission to be “both/and” instead of “either/or.” For policy and school decisions, it is a reminder to protect home culture while encouraging local participation.
Cross-references
Acculturation (Cultural Adaptation); Cultural Adjustment (Cultural Adaptation); BII (Cultural Adaptation); Intercultural Competence (Cultural Adaptation); HCN (Family Dynamics); Social Network Building (Family Dynamics). Cultural adjustment describes the practical and psychological process through which integration is pursued; intercultural competence is the developed capacity that makes sustained integration possible. HCN relationships and social network building are the behavioral mechanisms through which integration is most concretely achieved — integration requires active engagement with the host culture, which is most effectively facilitated through relationships with host country nationals and diverse social networks.
Sources
Berry’s four acculturation strategies — integration, assimilation, separation, and marginalization — are generated by two questions: whether the individual wishes to maintain their heritage culture, and whether they wish to engage with the host culture; integration, the combination of both, is associated with the best psychological outcomes. Berry, J.W. & Sam, D.L. (1997). Acculturation and adaptation. In J.W. Berry, M.H. Segall & C. Kagitcibasi (Eds.), Handbook of Cross-Cultural Psychology Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Allyn & Bacon.
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