Socialization: meaning, definitions and examples

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socialization

[ˌsəʊʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

child development

The process by which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of their society through interaction with others.

Synonyms

acculturation, assimilation, enculturation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
socialization	This is a repetition of the first word. It involves learning and adapting to societal norms and values, which helps individuals function within a society or social group. Educational systems play a crucial role in the socialization of young people. Peer interactions are a significant part of socialization during adolescence.
enculturation	Refers to the process through which individuals learn the values and norms of their own culture. This usually happens naturally as a part of growing up within a specific cultural context. Enculturation begins at a very young age through family traditions and teachings. Songs, stories, and rituals are part of the enculturation process.
acculturation	This term is used when individuals or groups from one culture come into contact with another culture and adopt its practices, while still retaining their original cultural identity. Often mentioned in the context of immigrants adapting to a new country. Acculturation can lead to a blend of cultural traditions. Through acculturation, immigrants may adopt the language and customs of their new country.
assimilation	Typically used when an individual or group fully adopts the culture of another group, often losing their original cultural identity in the process. This term can sometimes have a negative connotation as it may imply erasing one’s original culture. The policy encouraged the assimilation of minority groups into mainstream culture. Forced assimilation can lead to the loss of cultural heritage.

Examples of usage

Socialization is crucial for a child's emotional and psychological development.
Children learn socialization skills through interaction with their peers.
Family, school, and community all play a role in the socialization process.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

sociology

The lifelong process of learning how to behave appropriately in society, including understanding social norms and roles.

Synonyms

social conditioning, social learning, socialization process.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
socialization	This word is generally used to describe the overall process by which individuals learn and adopt the norms, values, behaviors, and social skills appropriate to their society or social group. It is often referred to in both everyday contexts and academic discussions, especially in sociology and psychology. Children's socialization is influenced by the family, schools, and peer groups. Moving to a new country can be a challenging socialization experience.
social learning	Social learning involves acquiring new behaviors or information by observing and imitating others. This term is often used in educational contexts and psychological theories to explain how individuals learn from their environment and social interactions, particularly through modeling and observation. Children often exhibit social learning by mimicking the behavior of adults around them. Social learning theory suggests that people can learn aggression through exposure to violent behaviors in media.
social conditioning	Social conditioning refers to the influence of society on an individual's preferences, behaviors, and thought patterns. This term often underscores the implied or subconscious aspect of social influence and how society shapes beliefs and actions. It is commonly used in discussions about cultural norms and societal expectations. Our consumer habits are largely a result of social conditioning. Many societal expectations, such as gender roles, are products of social conditioning.
socialization process	Similar to 'socialization', this term emphasizes the ongoing and systematic nature of learning social norms and behaviors. It is often employed in academic writings to highlight the stages or mechanisms through which socialization occurs. The socialization process begins at birth and continues throughout a person's life. Teachers play a significant role in the socialization process of young students.

Examples of usage

Socialization helps individuals navigate social situations effectively.
Adolescents often go through a period of socialization as they learn to interact with others outside their family.
Socialization can vary greatly across different cultures.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'socialis', meaning 'of companionship' or 'comradeship'.
It first appeared in English in the late 19th century, often referring to the process of learning to live in society.

Psychology

Socialization is crucial for developing a sense of self and understanding social norms.
The process includes various stages: primary socialization occurs in childhood, followed by secondary as one grows older.

Cultural Impact

Different cultures have unique ways of socializing, affecting values, behaviors, and communication styles.
Socialization varies by region, with collectivist cultures emphasizing community over individualism.

Technology

With the rise of social media, the way people socialize has dramatically changed, creating virtual communities.
Online platforms can enrich socialization but sometimes replace face-to-face interactions, impacting relationships.

Sociology

Sociologists study socialization to understand how individuals fit into groups and how societies function.
It forms the foundation for social identity, helping people classify themselves within society.

Translations

Translations of the word "socialization" in other languages:

🇵🇹 socialização

🇮🇳 समाजीकरण

🇩🇪 Sozialisierung

🇮🇩 sosialisasi

🇺🇦 соціалізація

🇵🇱 socjalizacja

🇯🇵 社会化 (shakaika)

🇫🇷 socialisation

🇪🇸 socialización

🇹🇷 sosyalleşme

🇰🇷 사회화 (sahoehwa)

🇸🇦 التنشئة الاجتماعية

🇨🇿 socializace

🇸🇰 socializácia

🇨🇳 社会化 (shèhuì huà)

🇸🇮 socializacija

🇮🇸 félagsmótun

🇰🇿 әлеуметтендіру

🇬🇪 სოციალიზაცია

🇦🇿 sosializasiya

🇲🇽 socialización

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,340, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11337 powerfully
11338 elongate
11339 preoccupation
11340 socialization
11341 pearls
11342 floral
11343 ultrasound
...