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socialization

Definition of Socialization

(noun) The lifelong process of an individual or group learning the expected norms and customs of a group or society through social interaction.

Example of Socialization

  • Children are socialized by their parents who teach them acceptable behavior in certain social situations such as not talking in movies and respecting their elders.

Types of Socialization

Socialization Pronunciation

Pronunciation Usage Guide

Syllabification: so·cial·i·za·tion

Audio Pronunciation

– American English
– British English

Phonetic Spelling

  • American English – /soh-shuh-luh-zAY-shuhn/
  • British English – /soh-shuh-lie-zAY-shuhn/

International Phonetic Alphabet

  • American English – /ˌsoʊʃələˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
  • British English – /ˌsəʊʃl̩ʌɪˈzeɪʃn/

Usage Notes

Related Quotations

  • “Biological models for understanding human behavior rely on the idea that innate biological differences between males and females ‘program’ distinct social behaviors for men and women. This is called biological determinism. Socially based frameworks, such as those coming from the fields of cultural anthropology or sociology, look at variations in behaviors and gender attributes. These approaches highlight the socialization process that teaches boys and girls to live up to the expectations for their respective genders. Either approach on its own—biology or socialization, nature or nurture—is inadequate for explaining complex human beings and why we do what we do” (Tarrant 2009:67).
  • Social life derives from a dual source, the similarity of consciousness and the social division of labour. In the first case the individual is socialized because, in the absence of any real individuality, he is united with others with whom he shares a common likeness, becoming part of the same collective type; in the second case, because, while having an appearance and personal activity which distinguish him from others, he is dependent on them to the extent that he is distinguished from them, and consequently upon the society which results from this combination” (Durkheim [1893] 2004:32).
  • “The kind of person we become depends greatly on what we learn during our formative years from our surrounding social groups and social environment” (Kendall 2006:105).

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Additional Information

Related Terms


References

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Kendall, Diana. 2006. Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials. 5th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Tarrant, Shira. 2009. Men and Feminism. Berkeley, CA: Seal Press.

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Cite the Definition of Socialization

ASA – American Sociological Association (5th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “socialization.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Retrieved March 19, 2024 (https://sociologydictionary.org/socialization/).

APA – American Psychological Association (6th edition)

socialization. (2013). In K. Bell (Ed.), Open education sociology dictionary. Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/socialization/

Chicago/Turabian: Author-Date – Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “socialization.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Accessed March 19, 2024. https://sociologydictionary.org/socialization/.

MLA – Modern Language Association (7th edition)

“socialization.” Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Ed. Kenton Bell. 2013. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://sociologydictionary.org/socialization/>.