W-Curve
Migrant-Host Relationships
Integrative Theory
100

Excitement about a new culture overtakes the experience

What is anticipation?

100

Migrant values the host’s culture more than their origin culture (can be both voluntary and involuntary)

What is separation?

100

The individual and the environment co-define the assimilation process, including the attitudes and receptiveness of the host environment, the migrant communities within the host culture, and the psychological impact on the migrant.

What is the integrative theory of cultural adaptation?

200

Disorientation and discomfort from being in an unfamiliar environment.

What is culture shock?

200

Migrant places little value on either the host’s or their origin’s culture

What is marginalization?

200

This occurs as a result of the stress-adaptation-growth process.

What is intercultural-transformation?

300

Learning the verbal and nonverbal codes, values, norms, behaviors, and assumptions of the new culture.

What is adjustment?

300

Migrant values the host’s culture more than their origin culture (can be both voluntary and involuntary)

What is assimilation?

300

Process by which migrants unlearn some aspects of their culture origin.

What is Deculturation?

400

Migrant values both the host’s and their origin’s culture

What is integration?

400

Process by which migrants gain new information and insight about the norms and values of the culture and adapt their behaviors to the host culture.

What is Acculturation?