The process of becoming part of a different cultural group is known as what?

• A. Immigration
• B. Migration
• C. Mercantilism
• D. Assimilation

Answer: (D)

Assimilation is the process of becoming part of a different cultural group by adopting its language, customs, and ways of life. It describes how someone blends into a new society to the point where they’re recognized as part of that culture, not as an outsider. When people move to a new country or region, they may gradually adopt local practices—speaking the local language, celebrating local holidays, wearing familiar clothing, and following common social norms—which shows assimilation in action.

It’s helpful to keep in mind what this is not: moving to a new place (immigration or migration) is about the act of relocation itself, while assimilation focuses on how someone fits into the new culture afterward. Mercantilism, on the other hand, is a historical economic theory about trade and wealth and isn’t related to cultural belonging.