This paper discusses the process of culture acquisition and recommends a new methodology for investigating this process. An examination of the relationship between culture acquisition and cognitive development is followed by a discussion of the way previous research has dealt with this relationship. It is argued that recent developments in linguistics and psychology, as well as in anthropology motivate a reexamination of current assumptions concerning what constitutes a feasible and productive approach to the study of culture acquisition. A new approach is advocated in which culture acquisition is a life-long process of adaptation to one's social and physical environment which is punctuated by periods of relative congruence between one's current theory of reality and the information currently available about that reality. Some examples of how this approach might be applied are provided, using as data research by Williams and Danziger on children's use of kinship terminology, supplemented by some original research data on children's use of honorifics (terms denoting respect). Finally, a summary of the critical issues in the culture acquisition process is provided along with specific recommendations for future research on the topic. (Author/BH)