Final answer:
Syncretism is the combination of different belief systems, often resulting from cultural contact, leading to an integrated set of beliefs that can change with reflective thought.
Step-by-step explanation:
The combination of introduced and local beliefs results in a belief system known as syncretism. This phenomenon occurs when cultures come into contact and the beliefs and practices of one are integrated with those of another, often producing a new, composite belief system. Throughout history, syncretism has been evident in various societies where different worldviews merge, such as the assimilation of Christian and Indigenous beliefs in the Americas during the European colonization or the blending of classical, modern, and postmodern ideas in contemporary culture. Despite the initial preservation of belief systems through the addition of qualifiers and alternative interpretations, reflective thought can eventually lead to the realization of discrepancies, prompting a need for more internally coherent and satisfying belief systems.