Socialization

Definition of Socialization

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meanings of Socialization: (1) A process of social interaction and communication in which an individual comes to learn and internalize the culture of their society or group. Socialization begins immediately at birth, with the conditioning influences of infant handling, and continues throughout an individual’s lifetime. Sociologists recognize the limitless variety of individual experiences of socialization, but have given much attention to general patterns of socialization found in individual societies and groups within them. The sociological use of the term refers to the learning and absorption of culture and not simply to the process of interacting with others. (2) The term is also sometimes used to refer to the collective ownership and management of economic resources eg: a nationalized industry or resource, or to publicly provided and financed services eg: ‘socialized medicine’ (medicare).

Socialization: Resources

Notes and References

• Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Socialization. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada