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socialization

soh-shuh-ly-ZAY-shun /ˌsoʊ.ʃə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

nounB2IELTSTOEFLGRE

academicformal

The process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society.

Refers to acquiring social norms, values, skills, and communication habits over time.

The story behind the word. Rooted in Latin 'socius' (companion). The specific sociological term 'socialization' emerged in the late 19th century to explain how human infants develop into fully functioning members of a culture.

Word relationships

enculturation: Enculturation focuses specifically on learning cultural traditions, while socialization covers broader social rule adaptation.

isolation: Isolation prevents engagement with social norms and peers entirely.
alienation: Alienation represents detachment from societal norms.

Commonly confused with

socialism: Socialism is an economic system; socialization is a developmental sociological process.

Word family

socialize (verb): To train to fit into society.
social (adjective): Relating to society or companionable interactions.

Collocations

socialization process
peer socialization
early socialization
cultural socialization

Example sentences

"Critics often ask about socialization, but homeschooled children frequently interact with diverse age groups in their community." Homeschool Debates

Memory hook

SOCIAL + IZATION = turning an individual into a SOCIAL companion. Learning society's rules.

When not to use

Do not confuse with 'socializing' (attending parties/chatting); socialization is a long-term developmental process.

Fun facts

Sociologists distinguish 'primary socialization' (family in infancy) from 'secondary socialization' (schools and peers later).