Abstract: Acculturation has become an integral and important part in cross-cultural psychology. Studies of acculturation have increased dramatically in recent years, and new theoretical models emerged constantly, which have had a significant effect on the immigration policies in the western world. This paper introduces the definition of acculturation, and reviews the theoretical development and main research methods in acculturation. Some methodological problems in the current research, and new directions for future research are also discussed. It is proposed that acculturation theory should be applied to internal researches, including the floating people’s acculturation in big cities and national minorities’acculturation

Key words: acculturation, cross-cultural psychology, immigrants, acculturation strategies, theoretical models