Ecology, Acculturation and Psychological Adaptation: A Study of Adivasis in Bihar

According to the ecological perspective--a recently emerged approach in the social and behavioral sciences--the culture of groups and the behavior of individuals can be comprehended in terms of the way they adapt to their context to satisfy their needs. A pioneering volume, Ecology, Acculturation, and Psychological Adaptation applies the techniques of cross-cultural research with a special eco-cultural viewpoint to a study of Indian society. The authors examine not only a wide range of cognitive behaviors in relation to the ecological engagements of different tribal groups but also provide a comparative analysis of their lifestyles, patterns of child socialization, and experiences of and attitudes toward acculturation. This important study also explores acculturative stress of these tribes in order to understand the varied implications of integrating these groups with the rest of society. Combining the techniques of anthropological and psychological research, Ecology, Acculturation, and Psychological Adaptation will interest not only scholars in the fields of psychology, sociology, and anthropology but also educators, social workers, planners, policymakers, development workers, and all those concerned with the problems afflicting tribal groups in this age of rapid change.