Final answer:
Culture shock is a true phenomenon that anthropologists experience when conducting field work, due to the emotional disorientation from adjusting to a new culture. It involves facing language barriers, different social etiquettes, and lifestyle changes, and adaptation can be a lengthy process.
Step-by-step explanation:
When conducting field work, many anthropologists indeed experience culture shock, which is the feeling of emotional disorientation caused by trying to adjust to major changes in lifestyle and living conditions. This statement is true. Culture shock is a term coined by anthropologist Kalervo Oberg in 1960, encapsulating the stress and disorientation faced when interacting with a different culture. Cultural differences can range from language barriers to altered daily routines and social etiquette, which all contribute to the stress of adjusting to a new environment.
Culture shock may manifest in various forms, such as an American finding the driving habits in Italy unsafe compared to those in the United States or a sociologist struggling to realign with their own cultural values after experiencing what they consider a more admirable lifestyle abroad. Over time, however, individuals can adapt to a new culture, though it may take weeks, months, or even years, depending on the extent of cultural differences and personal resilience.