Assimilate: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'assimilare', meaning 'to make similar' or 'to liken to'.
• It entered the English language in the 15th century, reflecting processes of learning and integration.

Cultural Studies

• Cultural assimilation occurs when minority groups adopt the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture, resembling a form of integration.
• In anthropology, assimilation can describe how societies merge and influence one another, leading to a shared cultural identity.

Psychology

• In cognitive psychology, assimilation refers to the process of incorporating new experiences into existing mental frameworks.
• It is part of Piaget's theory of cognitive development, which explains how children understand the world around them.

Education

• In learning environments, students assimilate knowledge when they connect new information with what they already know.
• Effective teaching strategies often involve assimilation, ensuring new concepts are relatable to students’ experiences.

Sociology

• The concept of social assimilation describes how individuals blend into a social group, often impacting identity and belonging.
• It can lead to challenges for individuals trying to hold onto their original cultural identity while integrating into a new one.

At position #14,479, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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• 14476 rigging
• 14477 irritability
• 14478 unsuccessfully
• 14479 assimilate
• 14480 detectives
• 14481 paralleled
• 14482 baffled
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