About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about the acculturation curve, focusing in particular on: (i) understanding acculturation to be the psychological changes undertaken by an individual when they move into a new culture; (ii) the ease of international migration today, when compared with periods in the past; (iii) contrasting voluntary with forced migration; (iv) Lysgaard’s 1955 study, which focused on Norwegian students living in the United States; (v) the stages of acculturation being honeymoon, crisis and culture shock, and adjustment; (vi) the lack of blanket applicability of the acculturation curve.

About the lecturer

Dr Sam Parker is a senior lecturer in social psychology in the Department of Health and Social Sciences at the University of the West of England, after moving from a lecturing position at Birmingham City University. Dr Parker’s research interests are in discursive psychology, forced migration and sexuality. Some of Dr Parker’s recent publications include ‘Just eating sleeping: Asylum seekers’ constructions of belonging within a restrictive policy environment’ (2018) and ‘It’s ok if it’s hidden: The discursive construction of everyday racism for refugees and asylum seekers in Wales’ (2018).