Socialization

The process of learning to adopt the behavior patterns of the community is called socialization.

Socialization encompasses both learning and teaching and is thus the means by which social and cultural continuity are attained.

Socialization is strongly connected to developmental psychology. Humans need social experiences to learn their culture and to survive.

Socialization essentially represents the whole process of learning throughout the life course and is a central influence on the behavior, beliefs, and actions of adults as well as of children.

The most fertile time of socialization is usually the early stages of life, during which individuals develop the skills and knowledge and learn the roles necessary to function within their culture and social environment.

But socialization also includes adults moving into a significantly different environment where they must learn a new set of behaviors.