Final answer:
Amalgamation is the process of two groups combining to form a new group, while assimilation involves a minority group adopting the characteristics of the dominant culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Amalgamation is the process by which a minority group and a majority group combine to form a new group. Unlike the "salad bowl" analogy, which allows each culture to retain its individuality, the "melting pot" ideal sees the combination of cultures resulting in a new culture entirely.
Assimilation, on the other hand, describes the process by which a minority individual or group gives up its own identity by adopting the characteristics of the dominant culture. It typically occurs when a minority group lives among a larger "host" population and starts adapting to the beliefs and practices of that group.