The Integration of Americans of Indian Descent

When the members of two societies come into contact, changes in the direction of assimilation may occur on four different levels—biological, psychological, cultural, and structural, or, in more descriptive terms, amalgamation, identification, acculturation, and integration may take place. At present, most Indians favor integration but resist forced acculturation. The integration and cultural assimilation of Na tive Americans have been inhibited by a number of funda mental differences between the majority culture and the cul tures of Indian peoples. At the same time, other factors have furthered integration and cultural assimilation. Migration, urbanization, education, economic changes, and intermar riage will facilitate structural integration, a shared identity, and cultural assimilation. In time, full assimilation, or the interaction of all persons without reference to ethnic or racial descent, may come about. For the immediate future, however, pluralism, associated with increasing acculturation and struc tural integration, seems to be the most likely pattern of rela tionship between most Indians and non-Indians.