What is the term for the social process of absorbing one cultural group into another?

The term that describes the social process of absorbing one cultural group into another is assimilation. This process involves individuals or groups from one culture adopting the customs and values of another culture, often leading to a loss of their original cultural identity. Assimilation typically occurs when a minority group is incorporated into a dominant culture, and this can happen voluntarily or as a result of external pressures.

Integration, while similar in that it promotes the coexistence of diverse cultures, does not imply the same level of absorption or loss of original cultural identity as assimilation does. Acculturation refers to the process in which individuals or groups from one culture adopt certain cultural traits of another while still maintaining aspects of their original culture. Segregation, on the other hand, involves the separation of cultural or racial groups, which is contrary to the concept of assimilating into a new culture.

Understanding these distinctions is important in the study of cultural interactions and social dynamics.