Cultural Angle and Degrees of Transculturation in Multicultural Societies

Abstract

Current Western societies are characterized by cultural diversity. Europe has gradually become a place populated by very diverse groups, due mainly to an influx of immigration. Various adaptation mechanisms have developed in the receiving society, and in turn, in immigrant groups. Due to a variety of factors, including well-embedded social prejudices, stereotypes and cultural distance, there are different expressions of ethnocentrism and degrees of transculturation in multicultural contexts. The main focus of this paper is to establish an original and realistic classification of these social responses, based on systematic observation and direct interaction.