Topic :- Social Process

Associative Process :- Cooperation, Accommodation, Assimilation

3. Assimilation
Assimilation is a fundamental social process; it is that process by which individuals

belonging to different cultures are united into one. Successful accommodation sets the stage

for an additional consequences of human interactions, namely assimilation. This implies the

complete merging and fusion of two or more bodies into a single common body, a process

analogous to digestion, in which we say that food is assimilated.

Assimilation in social relationships means that the cultural differences between divergent

groupings of people disappear. Thus, they come to feel; think and act similarly as they absorb

new common traditions, attitudes and consequently take on a new cultural identity. We see

the process operating among ethnic groups which enter a society with their own society’s

culture.

For instance, American Indians adopted cultural elements of whites abandoning their own

culture. But assimilation is not limited to this single field only. For example, husbands and

wives with dissimilar background often develop a surprising unity of interest and purpose.

The term is usually applied to an immigrant or ethnic minority in process of being absorbed
socially into a receiving society, e.g. the assimilation of African Negroes as immigrants in

American society. But this does not mean that the immigrants have abandoned everything of

their culture and that they have not contributed anything to the host country. The assimilation

of Negroes has contributed much to American cultural store in the form of Jazz music.

Assimilation is a slow and gradual process. It takes quite some time before individuals or

groups once dissimilar becomes similar. Acculturation is the first step to assimilation.
Acculturation is the name given to the stage when the cultural group which is in contact with

another borrows from it certain cultural elements and incorporates them into its own culture.

The contact between the two groups inevitably affects both; though it is natural that culturally

weaker group would do more of the borrowing from and would give very little to the

culturally stronger group. When two cultures meet, the dominant culture becomes the

common culture of the two interacting cultures. For example, before Muslim rule Malaya had

the influence of native culture and Budhism. But subsequently, Muslim culture prevailed
upon the local culture.

Some of its definitions of assimilation are given below:

According to Biesanz and Biesanz, “Assimilation is the social process whereby individuals or

groups come to share the same sentiments and goals”.

“Assimilation”, says E.S. Bogardus, “is a process whereby attitudes of many persons are

united, and thus, develop into a united group”.

As Ogburn and Nimkoff define, “Assimilation is the process whereby individuals or groups

once dissimilar become similar, that it become identified in the interests and outlook”.

According to Park and Burgess, “Assimilation is a process of interpenetration and fusion in

which individuals and groups acquire the attitudes and values of other persons or groups, and

by sharing their experience and history, are incorporated with them in a common cultural
life”.

Characteristics of Assimilation:

1. Assimilation is an associative process.

2. Assimilation is a universal process. It is found in every place and at all times.

3. Assimilation is a slow and gradual process. It is gradual as the individual comes to share

the expectations of another group and slowly acquires a new set of values. The process
cannot take place overnight. The assimilation of the Anglo-Saxon and Norman cultures has

taken more than two centuries in Britain.

4. Assimilation is a unconscious process. Individuals are not conscious that the discard their

own values and acquire new set of values.

5. Assimilation is a two-way process. It is based on the principle of give and take.

Assimilation takes place when groups of individuals borrow cultural elements from each

other and incorporates them to their own culture. Contact between two groups essentially

affects both. Both the groups discard their cultural element and substitute them with new

ones.

Factors Conducive for Assimilation:

Assimilation is a complex process. There are certain factors which facilitate assimilation and

other which hinder or retard it. The rate of assimilation depends upon whether facilitating or

regarding factors predominate. Assimilation occurs most readily when social contacts are

those of primary group – that is when they are intimate, personal and face to face.

According to Gillin and Gillin, factors favouring assimilation are toleration, equal economic

opportunity, sympathetic attitude on the part of the dominating groups towards the minority

group, exposure to the dominant culture, similarity between the cultures of the minority and

dominant groups, and amalgamation or intermarriage. On the other hand, factors hindering

assimilation are isolating conditions of life, attitude of superiority on the part of the dominant
group, excessive cultural and social difference etc.

The following factors may account for the ready occurrence of assimilation:

1. Toleration:

Toleration is an important factor which facilitate the process of assimilation. Tolerance helps

people to come together, to develop contacts and to participate in common cultural and social

activities. When the dominant group is hospitable and tolerant towards differences, the

minority groups have a greater opportunity to participate in the total community life.
2. Close Social Contact:

Close social contact is another leading factor which promotes the process of assimilation in a

greater way. When the people or group of different cultures come into close proximity with

each other, the assimilation process takes place very easily. The close social contact creates a

good understanding among the people and the group and this creates a healthy atmosphere in

which people exchange their views in a better way.

For instance, in India the assimilation between Hinduism and Buddhism is possible due to the
close social contact among the members of these two religious groups. Thus, the close

physical proximity plays a vital role in promoting the assimilation process.

3. Amalgamation:

Amalgamation is another promoting factor of assimilation. By amalgamation we mean,

individuals or groups come into close contact to one another. It occurs when two different

cultural groups establish matrimonial relationship among themselves.

For example, the marital relations among the Hindus and non-Hindus facilitate the process of

assimilation. The marital relationship brings the people of different culture very close to one

another. Thus, amalgamation is an important factor which promotes assimilation process

through matrimonial contacts or alliances.

4. Equal Economic Opportunity:

The inequality of economic status among the people of different cultural groups hinder the
process of assimilation. But the equal economic opportunities facilitate assimilation process.

The people or groups having equal economic position become more easily intimate. Thus,

intimate relationship promotes assimilation.

5. Common Physical Traits:

Common physical traits or qualities of the people of different cultures also promote the

process of assimilation. The foreign immigrants of the same race can more easily assimilate
than those with different races. For instance, the Indians who live in America permanently

can easily assimilate with the Indian culture.

6. Cultural similarity:

Cultural similarities between two groups of individuals promote assimilation. If there are

similarities between culture groups, assimilation is quick to take place. Similarly, assimilation
occurs most readily when two culture groups have common language. Without knowledge of

language, the individual remains outside the adopted society. The first step in assimilation

into a new society is, therefore, to a lean language.

In reality, assimilation is a part of life itself, as the individual slowly learns to participate in

the symbols and expectations of another group. Assimilation can be hastened by such devices

as learning of language, getting a job and joining a union. But these things all take time.

Factors Hindering Assimilation:

Merely bringing persons of different backgrounds together does not assure that a fusion of

cultures and personalities take place. Sometimes it results in conflict rather than fusion

between the contiguous groups. There are various factors that retard assimilation. These

factors are discussed below.

1. Physical Differences:
Differences in features, complexion of skin and other physical trait may also help or hinder in

assimilation. Generally the adjustment problems are the easiest for those immigrants who in

appearance are supposedly most like the people of the new land.

It may be pointed out that physical differences in themselves may not produce antagonisms or

prejudice between peoples as is the case in South Eastern, Asia and Latin America, but when

other factors operate to produce group frictions, physical differences give rise to inferiority

and undesirability.
2. Cultural Differences:

Language and religion are usually considered to be main constituents of culture, Immigrants

having the same religion and language can easily adjust themselves in other area or country.

In America for example English speaking Protestants are assimilated with the great speed and

ease whereas non-Christians who do not speak English, have the greatest difficulty in being

assimilated there. Customs and belief are other cultural characteristics who can aid or hinder

assimilation.

3. Prejudice:

Prejudice is a barrier to assimilation. Prejudice is the attitude on which segregation depends

for its success. As long as the dominant group prejudices those who have been set apart,

neither they as a group nor their individual members can easily become assimilated to the

general culture. Prejudice also impedes assimilation between constituent elements within a

given society.

Religious groups often allow the social distance created by prejudice to maintain their

separateness when both would benefit by a cooperative effort in community undertakings.

Prejudice within a community, within a family or within any group plays into the hands of

factions who prefer disunity to a fusion of interests.

Not all prejudice is negative; however, when groups prejudice one another with unusually

favourable attitudes, the process of assimilation is speeded, just as it is retarded by negative

attitudes.

4. Sense of superiority and inferiority:

Assimilation is hindered by the feelings of superiority and inferiority. The people who have

strong feelings of superiority, generally hate the people who suffer from a sense of inferiority.

Due to this reason intimate relationship between two groups of people become difficult.

Hence, assimilation is retarded.

5. Domination and subordination:

Assimilation between two groups of people is almost impossible where one group dominate

the other. In this case social relation which is essential for assimilation does not develop

among the people of dominant and subordinate groups. The dominant group always considers

the people of subordinate group as inferior and exercises its power over them. As a result

jealousy, hatred, suspicion and conflict etc. develop among them. All these hinder the process

of assimilation.

6. Isolation:
Isolation also hinders assimilation. People who live in isolation fail to establish social

contacts with others. The isolated people cut off entire social relationship with other people in

society. Therefore, the process of assimilation becomes very difficult.

In short, it can be summed up that assimilation is a slow process of adoption and adjustment

on the part of individuals. There is no abrupt change in the way of life. In short, assimilation

is a process of cultural adoption and adjustment.