A quest among Iranians in Southern California : their acculturation process

Includes bibliographical references (pages 94-95)This study explored the process of acculturation among\ud Iranian immigrants in southern California. An historical\ud review, along with some general Iranian characteristics\ud and value systems was included. A literature review on\ud acculturation among immigrants of many different cultures\ud was conducted. This literature review covered studies\ud that dealt with the stages of culture transformation, the\ud role of primary and secondary cultures upon identity, the\ud impact of intrapsychic and interpersonal aspects of each\ud individual in this process.\ud Eleven Iranian immigrants, ages 18-40, were interviewed.\ud The interviews were taped and then reviewed.\ud The uniqueness of this study was the use of a subjective\ud study by conducting phenomenological methodology. The\ud uniqueness of the study is based on the rigorous application\ud of a phenomenological psychological method developed\ud by Giorgy and Wertz. This study, therefore, entails a\ud descriptive, subjective account of the acculturation\ud process.\ud All of the immigrants experienced a loss of identity\ud in the process. Ambivalence, feelings of isolation,\ud guilt, distrust, romanticizing the primary culture,\ud depression, and cultural conflicts were experienced and\ud expressed by these subjects