Acculturation, Social Identity, and Social Cognition: A New Perspective

Abstract

The authors argue in this article that new approaches are needed in the study of psychological acculturation. They posit that a new model of psychological acculturation should incorporate contemporary work in social and cognitive psychology. The model they present builds on previous research in the areas of social cognition, cultural competence, social identity, and social stigma. Each of these perspectives is discussed in accordance with its relevance to the acculturative processes operating in immigrants. They hypothesize that acculturation is more difficult for those persons who must cope with the stigma of being different because of skin color, language, ethnicity, and so forth. Finally, the authors believe that the theoretical framework present here will lead to more productive insights into the adaptation process of immigrants than has heretofore been the case.

“It’s so cold and impossible to make friends” Challenges of multicultural relationships in Finland

“…According to Padilla and Perez (2003), acculturation is more difficult for those persons who must cope with the stigma of being different because of skin color, language, ethnicity, and so forth, and as showed in this study, this concerns also multicultural relationships greatly. Could problems in multicultural marriages be avoided at the time of adjusting in the new home country and starting a family?…”

“…For balance life and healthy cultural identity, also in marriage, one should pursue balance with one's own and the spouse's culture. Multiculturalism in a relationship can turn into an empowering richness when the suitable balance in found (Padilla & Perez, 2003)-and every couple has to find their own way to the successful combination of their cultures.…”

“This degrading and stealthy practice”

“…However, poverty forced the Indigenous population to live in circumstances that supported the negative stereotype of, and confirmed racist beliefs about, the Indigenous population (Augoustinos, Ahrens, & Innes, 1994), reinforcing that stigmatisation of the Indigenous population was acceptable. Indigenous stigmatisation continues in Australia: societal stigma necessitates a shift in thinking that occurs slowly over many generations (Padilla & Perez, 2003).…”

Behind Cultural Competence: The Role of Causal Attribution in Multicultural Teacher Education

“…For example, Crocker and Major (1994) held that individuals who attributed their stigmatization condition to personally controllable causes are less likely to blame stigmaassociated negative outcomes and more likely to assume personal responsibility. In analyzing factors that may impact causal attribution of stigmatization, Padilla and Perez (2003) argued that stigmatized individuals lacking in perceived controllability of the stigma itself were more likely to attribute negative outcomes to prejudice and discrimination. Based on the previous research and the results of the current study, it seems that perceived personal control in causal attribution of cultural awareness plays a key role in predicting future behavioral outcome that demonstrates cultural comperence among preservice teachers.…”