Which term describes the absorption of an incoming group into the dominant society?

• A. Amalgamation
• B. Cultural pluralism
• C. Assimilation
• D. Segregation

Answer: (C)

This item is about how a group becomes part of the dominant society by adopting its language, customs, and identity. Assimilation describes that process of absorbing minority members into the mainstream culture, often leading to the loss of distinct cultural practices as they adopt the dominant group’s norms and ways of life. It’s the best fit because the focus is on blending into the dominant society rather than maintaining separate traditions, creating a new blended culture, or remaining socially separated.

Amalgamation would emphasize blending into a new, mixed culture rather than adopting the dominant culture as the mainstream. Cultural pluralism highlights coexistence of multiple cultures with retained distinct identities. Segregation refers to physical or social separation, not absorption into the dominant group.