Milton Gordon

Milton Myron Gordon (October 3, 1918 – June 4, 2019) was an American sociologist. He was most noted for having devised a theory on the Seven Stages of Assimilation. He was born in Gardiner, Maine. Gordon died on June 4, 2019, at the age of 100.


 * 1) Acculturation: newcomers adopt language, dress, and daily customs of the host society (including values and norms).
 * 2) Structural assimilation: large-scale entrance of minorities into cliques, clubs and institutions in the host society.
 * 3) Marital assimilation: widespread intermarriage.
 * 4) Identification assimilation: the minority feels bonded to the dominant culture.
 * 5) Attitude reception assimilation refers to the absence of prejudice.
 * 6) Behavior reception assimilation refers to the absence of discrimination.
 * 7) Civic assimilation occurs when there is an absence of value conflicts and power struggles.