Final answer:
The term for gradually combining or uniting groups resulting in the blurring of distinctions is amalgamation, often exemplified by the 'melting pot' notion. Assimilation is when a minority group takes on the characteristics of a dominant culture. Both processes shape societal evolution and group interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that describes the process of combining, blending, or uniting gradually by stages, resulting in the gradual blurring of identity or distinctions is known as amalgamation. This concept is often represented by the 'melting pot' analogy where a minority group and a majority group combine to form a new, unified group with a shared culture. On the other hand, assimilation is a related process where a minority group or individual adopts the characteristics and norms of a dominant culture, oftentimes losing original distinguishable features. Both processes are important in understanding how cultures and societies interact and change over time.
A practical example of amalgamation can be seen when organizations with similar goals or interests come together to form a new, stronger entity that embodies characteristics of each of the original bodies. This is part of what is known as the frame alignment process, which includes aspects such as bridging and transformation.
In human relations, perspectives can range from pluralism, where groups maintain separate identities, to genocidal intolerance. Between these extremes, both assimilation and amalgamation play roles in how groups interact and evolve over time, shaping societal dynamics in the context of immigration or the merging of social movements.