Majority adoption dynamics: Planes and domains and the primary role of diversity ideologies

Acculturation has been conceptualized as a bidirectional process in which both minority and majority groups undergo cultural changes as a result of intergroup contact. However, most studies have focused on the acculturation of minority groups, neglecting the analysis of changes occurring within the majority population. This study examines the acculturation of native Spaniards, specifically their adoption and preference for adoption of cultural elements from people of Moroccan origin. An adapted version of the Relative Acculturation Extended Model (RAEM) was used, distinguishing between real and ideal planes and between peripheral and central life domains. The role of contact quality and diversity ideologies (multiculturalism and intercultural sensitivity) was also analysed. A total of 361 native Spaniards (53.4% women) completed an online questionnaire. Results showed that scores were higher in peripheral than in central domains, and in the ideal than in the real plane, although absolute levels were generally low, especially in central domains. Interaction analyses revealed significant two-way interactions between contact quality and multiculturalism in peripheral domains of the real plane and central domains of the ideal plane. Simple effects indicated that contact quality was positively associated with cultural adoption in peripheral domains at moderate and high levels of multiculturalism, and with preferences for adoption in central domains only at high levels of multiculturalism. These findings expand current understanding of majority acculturation and suggest lower resistance to the adoption of minority cultural elements in peripheral than in central domains, particularly when contact quality is accompanied by multicultural orientations.