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with members of the core culture within the host society. Adaptation
is an intermediate step between the use of accommodating behavior to
avoid problems and the initial stages of assimilation.
The terms acculturation and assimilation are sometimes used to
mean the same or nearly the same process. According to Gordon (1964),
"assimilation" means total, even physical blending, while "acculturation"
means behavioral, social change. Both terms indicate a process whereby
people of different ethnic groups acquire memories, sentiments, and
attitudes in common with others of the core culture of the host country.
By beginning to share the same experiences and history as a part of
their residential experience in the U.S., immigrant groups are in
corporated into the common cultural life of this country. Gordon's
model of assimilation has seven variables or areas of incorporation.
The first variable--culture--is the most obvious. Cultural assimilation
is synonymous with what others have called acculturation. Yet ac
culturation can occur without assimilation. Within the ethnic group
there develops a network of organizations and informal social relations
which permits and encourages members to remain within the confines of
the ethnic group for all their primary relationships and some of their
secondary ones. Language as an entity provides a great unifying or
separating force which encourages maintenance of ethnic group ties.
Rogg and Cooney (1930) point out this strong pull for ethnic identifi
cation within the Cuban community they studied. Maintenance of group
ethnic identity is useful in lessening the difficulties of culture
shock, and for making the adjustment required to live in a different
cultural environment. It is also viewed as a source of political power
for those who find themselves disenfranchized. Safa (1982) points out