What term describes the absorption of a culturally distinct group into a dominant culture?

The term that describes the absorption of a culturally distinct group into a dominant culture is cultural assimilation. This process occurs when individuals from a minority culture adopt the customs, values, beliefs, and practices of the dominant culture, leading to a loss of their original cultural identity over time.

Cultural assimilation typically involves various levels of integration, where members of the minority group may change their language, traditions, and social behaviors to fit into the dominant culture. This transition can often result in the minority group's cultural traits disappearing or being significantly altered as they merge into the societal norms of the dominant group.

Cultural diversity refers to the variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a society, highlighting the differences rather than the merging of cultures. Cultural integration is a broader concept that can involve different cultures coexisting or collaborating without necessarily losing their distinct identities. Cultural diffusion involves the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another but does not imply that the minority group is absorbed into the dominant culture.