What concept describes the adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture?

The correct answer, acculturation, refers to the process by which individuals or groups adopt the cultural traits or social patterns of another culture, often as a result of prolonged contact. This concept highlights the way in which cultural exchange occurs when different groups interact, leading to the integration of cultural elements such as language, customs, and behaviors.

Acculturation typically involves a significant change in personal or group identity and may lead to the adaptation of new cultural practices while potentially retaining elements of the original culture. This process can occur at various levels, including individual, communal, and societal, showcasing the dynamic nature of cultural interactions.

In contrast, diffusion refers to the spreading of cultural items—such as ideas, styles, religions, technologies, etc.—from one culture to another without direct contact, while cultural transmission focuses on how culture is passed down from one generation to the next, typically through education and socialization. Cultural convergence describes the tendency for different cultures to become more similar as they come into contact with each other, but this does not capture the specific process of adopting behaviors and traits of another culture as embodying personal or group transformation.