What term describes the process of adopting the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture?

The term that best describes the process of adopting the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture is acculturation. This term refers to the changes that occur when individuals from one culture interact with another, leading to adjustments in their cultural practices, values, and behaviors. Acculturation can happen through various means, such as immigration, exposure to new cultural practices, or interactions in diverse settings.

Socialization, while related, specifically refers to the lifelong process through which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, and behaviors appropriate to their society. Socialization encompasses a broader scope, including family, education, and peer influences, rather than a specific cultural exchange.

Cultural diffusion involves the spread of cultural elements from one society to another, often through trade, migration, or other forms of interaction, but it does not necessarily imply the personal adoption of those behaviors. Assimilation is a more specific process where an individual or group fully adopts the practices of another culture, often losing their original cultural identity in the process. Thus, while these terms are connected, acculturation precisely captures the essence of adopting behaviors from a surrounding culture without losing one’s original cultural identity.