Final answer:
Assimilation is the social process where minorities adopt characteristics of the dominant culture, which can result in loss of original cultural identity. It is distinct from amalgamation, which leads to a new combined culture. History shows various levels of assimilation and its impacts on societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Assimilation is the process by which a minority individual or group adopts the characteristics of the dominant culture, often leading to the loss of the minority's original cultural identity. This social phenomenon is observed when ethnic minorities, upon living among a larger 'host' population, begin to adapt to the beliefs and practices of the majority group, a process which can sometimes involve acculturation. The process of amalgamation, in contrast, refers to the combination of a minority group and a majority group to form a new group, which happens less often. Historical examples include the waves of immigrants in the United States who have assimilated into the dominant American culture, sometimes after facing prejudice and discrimination. Assimilation can have various impacts on both minority and majority groups, from the integration of different cultures within a society to the potential dilution or even the loss of certain cultural identities.