In terms of acculturation and enculturation, Asian cultural values have been
integrated into immigrant life in America depending on the degree of adherence to the
Asian culture and level of exposure to the American culture. Acculturation indicates the
process of adjusting to the norms, values, and behaviors of the majority culture of the
host country, while enculturation indicates the degree to which individuals attach to their
heritage cultures (Park, Kim, Chiang, & Ju, 2010, p. 69). Generally, Asian Americans
may be influenced by both Western and Eastern cultures. For example, many institutions
in America tend to formally influence and educate people based on a Western cultural
perspective. Asian Americans are further informally influenced by their families‟ and
communities‟ Eastern cultural values. Formal education predominantly emphasizes
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Western culture in American schools and general society. However, Asian Americans
also learn Western cultural values in informal settings.