What is the Difference Between Socialization and Enculturation

The main difference between socialization and enculturation is that socialization is basically the process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society, whereas enculturation is the process of being socialized into a certain culture.

Socialization and enculturation are two similar processes. Socialization refers to the general process of acquiring culture, while enculturation specifically refers to the process of being socialized to a particular culture. In fact, it is not incorrect to say that enculturation is a product of socialization.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Socialization
– Definition, Characteristics
2. What is Enculturation
– Definition, Characteristics
3. What is the Relationship Between Socialization and Enculturation
– Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Socialization and Enculturation
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Culture, Enculturation, Socialization

What is Socialization

Socialization is the process by which we acquire knowledge, language, values, skills and habits of a society. The process actually begins during a person’s childhood. When a person is born into the world, he or she needs to learn how to live in the society around him or her. In other words, an individual should generally conform to the norms and roles required for integration into a group or community. It is why socialization is an important process. Basically, it teaches an individual how to be a member of a group or society. Socialization is, in fact, the main process of social life.

Furthermore, this process encompasses both teaching and learning. For example, an individual acquires social skills, values, knowledge, etc. through family, teachers, religious leaders, peers, media, etc. The people who impart this knowledge have also acquired it through similar channels. Thus, socialization is a continuous process in society.

Socialization helps a person to become a self-aware and knowledgeable person and learn the values, norms and culture of his or her society. Moreover, the process of socialization is greatly influenced by the society a person lives in and the social groups he or she interacts with.

What is Enculturation

Enculturation is a very similar process to socialization. Enculturation is the process of being socialized into a certain culture. In other words, this is the process by which we learn the requirements of our surrounding culture and acquire the behaviours and values appropriate for this culture.

Culture includes customs, traditions, norms, social values, beliefs, food patterns, clothing styles and many more things. A person belonging to a particular culture should conform to these values and behaviours if he wants to be accepted by others. If he or she doesn’t conform to these, others belonging to that culture will consider him or her as a deviant. Thus, enculturation teaches us our role, position, and behaviour of the particular culture we live in.

Relationship Between Socialization and Enculturation

Socialization refers to the general process of acquiring culture, while enculturation refers to the process of being socialized to a particular culture. Thus, it is not incorrect to say that enculturation is a product of socialization.

Difference Between Socialization and Enculturation

Definition

Socialization is the process through which we learn the norms, customs, values, and roles of the society, from birth through death. Enculturation, on the other hand, is the process by which we learn the requirements of our surrounding culture and acquire the behaviours and values appropriate for this culture.

Focus

The term socialization mainly focuses on the acquisition of knowledge, language, values, skills and habits of society while enculturation focuses more on the acquisition of cultural traits.

Conclusion

Socialization is the process through which we learn the norms, customs, values, and roles of the society, from birth through death while enculturation is the process by which we learn the requirements of our surrounding culture and acquire the behaviours and values appropriate for this culture. Thus, this is the main difference between socialization and enculturation.

Reference:

1. Cole, Nicki Lisa. “What Exactly Is Socialization?” ThoughtCo, 20 Jan. 2019, Available here.
2. O’Neil, Dennis. “Socialization.” Palomar College, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “For Reading Grandmother Grandchild Free Picture” (Public Domain) via Needpix.com
2. “2586581” (CC0) via Pixabay