Acculturation Orientations

Abstract

This study applies facet theory to validate Berry's bidimensional conceptualization and measurement of acculturation attitudes and its extension by Horenczyk to include acculturation expectations. Three components of facet theory (mapping sentence, confirmatory SSA [smallest space analysis], and SSA with external variables) are proposed as valuable tools for the purpose of cross-cultural validation and theory building. In total, 526 Israeli immigrants from the former Soviet Union completed questionnaires assessing own and "perceived expected" acculturation attitudes, as well as a questionnaire measuring the strength of their cultural identities. The bidimensional "radex" configuration of acculturation attitudes confirms expected distinctions (a) between integration, separation, assimilation, and marginalization types of acculturation attitudes and (b) between similarly structured own immigrants' attitudes and the expectations attributed to hosts. Moreover, the distinct placement of group identifications and sociodemographic characteristics as external variables in the bidimensional space corroborates the concurrent and discriminant validity of the acculturation model and measurement.