Acculturation Strategies of Migrants in Kontext of Their Cross-Cultural Interactions

Abstract

The article highlights that the phenomenon of cross-cultural interactions retains its significance and relevance during the time of rapid globalization and active migration. Intercultural conflicts often lead to social imbalance, alienation, separation, and even to the loss of national identity. Everything depends on the nature of acculturation pathways, i.e. the strategies migrants choose in order to adapt to a multicultural environment. Within the framework of cross-cultural psychology, J. Berry – an influential Canadian scholar in the field of social multiculturalism – proposed the concept in terms of intercultural relations and acculturation strategies. According to the researcher, the latter comprises two components, namely: socio-cultural attitudes and the real model of individual behavior under specific conditions, which rarely coincide. Such strategies as assimilation, separation/segregation, marginalization, and integration have been discussed in the article. By assimilation we mean the refusal from or complete loss of people’s cultural identity, traditions, language, and the consequential unification with the dominant ethnic group. Separation or segregation is defined by the absence of significant relations or contacts with the dominant ethnic group and the preservation of ethnic identity and traditions. This strategy can take the form of either segregation or separation, depending on which group (dominant or non-dominant) controls the situation. Marginalization is characterized by the feeling of alienation, the loss of the sense of identity, and the so-called acculturation stress. This strategy leads to the deprivation of cultural and psychological interactions with both the traditional and dominant cultures due to exclusion or discrimination. Integration is perceived as both the preservation of the cultural integrity of a certain group and the desire to become an essential part of a larger community. Therefore, integration can be considered the middle ground between preserving one's cultural identity and joining a dominant society. In conclusion, the integration strategy is considered the most successful. However, it should also be emphasized that such factors as a relatively low level of social prejudice, positive relationships between different cultural groups, and a wide range of cultural values within a society are vital for the effective implementation of the strategy. In further research, we intend to investigate which of the strategies mentioned international students use most during the process of their acculturation to a foreign academic environment.