Differentiate between enculturation and acculturation.

Enculturation and Acculturation:

Enculturation:

• Definition: Enculturation refers to the process by which individuals acquire and internalize the cultural norms, values, beliefs, customs, and behaviors of their own cultural group. It occurs naturally as individuals grow up within their cultural context, learning from family, peers, and the surrounding community.
• Influence: Enculturation shapes an individual's identity, language proficiency, social skills, and understanding of societal expectations. It is a lifelong process that occurs through informal socialization within the cultural environment.

Acculturation:

• Definition: Acculturation involves the exchange and adoption of cultural elements between different cultural groups that come into contact. It occurs when individuals or groups from one cultural background interact with, adapt to, and incorporate aspects of another cultural group's practices, values, and behaviors.
• Influence: Acculturation results in cultural change and adaptation, as individuals or groups navigate the dynamics of cultural contact. It may lead to the blending of cultural elements, the preservation of certain traditions, or the emergence of a hybrid cultural identity.

Key Difference:

• The primary distinction lies in the direction of cultural influence. Enculturation involves the transmission of one's own cultural heritage within a specific cultural group, while acculturation involves the interaction and mutual influence between individuals or groups from different cultural backgrounds. Enculturation is an internalization of one's own culture, while acculturation involves the adaptation to and integration of elements from another culture.