IMMIGRATION, ACCULTURATION, AND ADAPTATION

Cross-cultural psychology has demonstrated important links between cul tural context and individual behavioural development. Given this relat ionship, cross-cultural research has increasingly investigated what ha ppens to individuals who have developed in one cultural context when t hey attempt to re-establish their lives in another one. The long-term psychological consequences of this process of acculturation are highly variable, depending on social and personal variables that reside in t he society of origin, the society of settlement, and phenomena that bo th exist prior to, and arise during, the course of acculturation. This article outlines a conceptual framework within which acculturation an d adaptation can be investigated, and then presents some general findi ngs and conclusions based on a sample of empirical studies. Applicatio ns to public policy and programmes are proposed, along with a consider ation of the social and psychological costs and benefits of adopting a pluralist and integrationist orientation to these issues.