Final answer:
The correct answer is 'Full assimilation.' It refers to a situation where an ethnic group loses its distinct identity by adopting the characteristics of the dominant culture, contrasted with pluralism where cultural differences are maintained.
Step-by-step explanation:
Full assimilation occurs when an ethnic group can no longer be distinguished from the wider society. This process involves a minority individual or group giving up its own identity and taking on the characteristics of the dominant culture. Assimilation contrasts sharply with the concept of pluralism, wherein smaller groups within a larger society maintain their unique cultural identities, and those values and practices are accepted by the wider culture as long as they are consistent with its laws and values.
The metaphor of the "salad bowl" relates to pluralism, which promotes the co-existence of diverse cultures without forcing assimilation. In the context of the United States, which has a history of both welcoming immigrants and facilitating assimilation, the process can be measured with various benchmarks such as socioeconomic status, spatial concentration, language assimilation, and intermarriage. However, when faced with racial and ethnic discrimination, the barriers to assimilation can become considerable, especially with respect to language, potentially restricting advancement in socioeconomic terms.