SOCIALIZATION &

ENCULTURATION
LESSON 1
SOCIALIZATION
Socialization is the process through which people learn to understand
the societal norms, expectations, and values as members of society. It is the
lifelong social process where people develop their individual potentials and
learn or adapt culture. The personal development of people is dependent on
this process. Socialization starts at when a baby is born and ends upon
death. It is strengthened by human interactions, especially those that are
significant enough to have an effect on a person’s belief system or
behavior.
ENCULTURATIO
N
Enculturation is the process by which an individual adopts the behavior patterns of
the culture in which a person is immersed. It is the process where an individual or a
group learns culture through experience or observation. Enculturation is an important
part of socialization because it enables culture to be shared among members of society.
As you may have already learned, culture is important because it facilitates identity
formation. It enables one to acquire unique qualities, which are common to a specific
social group. Embracing a culture, therefore, could be likened to valid group
membership
ENCULTURATIO
N
 SOCIALIZATION AND
ENCULTURATION: IDENTITY
FORMATION IDENTITY,
DISCIPLINE,AND ASPIRATIONS
IDENTITY FORMATION
Identity formation starts when one learns to socialize and be
aware of the culture, behaviors, language, morals, and norms of
where he or she belongs in. However, as a person grows, he or
she learns to make his or her own set of beliefs, values, and
morals. This is how a person develops an identity. This is what
makes a person different from others.
A. IDENTITY
Identity is what makes a person distinct from others. It is the
total knowledge and understanding of an individual about who he
or she is.
TYPES OF IDENTITY
1. Personal
• the concept an individual develops about himself or herself
• the sense of oneself as a distinct or unique individual
• may depend on the age and circumstances of a person
• refers to skin color, place of residence, manner of spending time,
personal beliefs, personal style and choice of clothing, personal way of
interacting with others, etc.
TYPES OF IDENTITY
2. Cultural
• the identity of the culture to which a person belongs in
• the feeling or sense of belongingness to a group
• a collective sense of companionship that involves the same beliefs,
interests, and fundamental principles of living
• refers to belief structure or religious belief, cultural clothings, hairstyle
and body arts, types of food and drinks, ways of living, etc
B. DISCIPLINE
is a way of behaving that expresses a willingness to obey rules or
laws. It is the behavior that is judged by how well a person
follows a set of rules or orders.
 THREE KINDS OF
DISCIPLINES
1. Discipline of Nature or Reality
A person meets this kind of control every time he or she tries
to do things on his/her own without the supervision of others.
Example: You wake up early in the morning because you want to
go exercise
 THREE KINDS OF
DISCIPLINES
2. Discipline of Culture or Society
A person learns according to what he or she sees in the society
or culture. Example: You wake up early in the morning because it
is the practice in your rural community.
 THREE KINDS OF
DISCIPLINES
3. Discipline of Superior Force
A person learns through supervision and guidance of someone
superior or in authority. Example: You wake up in the morning
because your parents instructed you to do so.
C. ASPIRATIONS
Aspiration is a strong desire and ambition with which someone
is motivated to work hard.
Example: Rico at 20 years old identified himself as a happy-go-
lucky guy. He might discover that, at 35 years old, he is a
different person. Perhaps he is living a good life with his family.
He would like his children to have a comfortable life in the
future.
 Development of Personal Identity and
Aspirations
Personal identity develops in many ways, depending on preferred directions.
• It may be through enculturation and socialization.
• It may also come through observation of a role model.
• You tend to imitate a successful person that leads to changes in personality.
• Your personal identity may change and eventually, you may develop a clear
sense of yourself.
 SOCIALIZATION AND
ENCULTURATION: NORMS
AND VALUES
A. NORMS
Norms are standards or sets of accepted behaviors that a
person is expected to follow or exemplify in the society where he
or she belongs in. It pertains to specific guidelines of conduct in
society that guides its members on how to act in a particular
situation. Norms are either formal or informal.
A. NORMS
Norms are either formal or informal.
• Formal Norms are written down and involve strict rules for
punishment. Example: Law
• Informal Norms are understood but are not precisely recorded.
Example: Standard of proper dressing
A. NORMS
Norms are also categorized by their relative importance to society. This
classification is distinguished from the intensity of feelings they initiate
and the consequences that flow from violations of them.
• Folkways – are the customs of people that came from repetition and
routines Examples: The practice of waiting in line and the courtesy shown

to older people.
A. NORMS
• Mores – are stricter than folkways. It determines what is the
moral and ethical behavior. It dictates what is right and what is
wrong. Examples: Religious doctrines such as the prohibition of
pre-marital sex. The belief that forms of discrimination and
suppression are unethical (e.g. racism and sexism)
A. NORMS
Taboos – are very negative norms. It refers to strict prohibition of
certain behaviors that society holds firmly. Violating it results in
extreme disgust or expulsion from the group or society.
Examples: Cannibalism and incest.
A. NORMS
Laws – are formally instituted by the government. It exists
because its violation can result to harm or injury to other
members of society. There are imposed sanctions on people who
disobey the authority. Examples: Law against domestic violence,
curfew for minors.
B. VALUES
Values refer to the abstract idea of people about what is
necessary or worthwhile. Values are general guidelines that are
fundamental parts of our lives. They stand for the things we
believe in. Most of the values we have are learned from family,
friends, school, media, and other sources in society.
CLASSIFICATION OF VALUES
Individual Values
These are values connected with the development of human
personality.
Examples: honesty, loyalty, and honor
CLASSIFICATION OF VALUES
Collective Values
These are values connected with the development of unity and
harmony in the community.
Examples: equality, justice and solidarity
 SOCIALIZATION AND
ENCULTURATION: STATUSES
AND ROLES
A. STATUS
Describes the position an individual occupies in a particular
setting, in a group, or in society. It defines and clarifies the rights
and obligations expected from a person.
Example: a farm boy, a mother, a teacher, a human rights
defender
CLASSIFICATION OF
STATUS
1. Ascribed Status – a position a person holds in a social system that
one attains involuntarily or by birth. It is inherited and not based on
the person’s abilities, accomplishments, or efforts. It can be rigid and
unchanging since it is given to a person when he is born and is often
involuntary.
Examples: A girl who grew up in a farm. A Filipino national, a king or a
queen, a son of a vendor.
CLASSIFICATION OF
STATUS
2. Achieved Status – a position one hold in a social system that one attains
based on merit or effort. It is acquired due to unique skills, knowledge, or
abilities, and are based on standards that can be controlled. It is a position
that has been earned or chosen and is mostly dictated by abilities, skills and
life choices.
Examples: A farm boy who became an agriculturist. A student, an
employee, a doctor, an artist, an athlete.
CLASSIFICATION OF
STATUS
3. Master Status – the greatest role in a person’s life that determines social
identity and general position in society. It can be based on any status, such
as gender, ethnicity, economic status, religious or spiritual tradition,
employment status or family responsibility such as parent or grandparent. It
may come with a sense of prestige for some reason the consensus from the
community around them that a status is to be desired. Examples: A well-
known environmentalist., a CEO, an activist, a Pope, an Olympic Gold
Medalist
B. ROLES
Roles are expectations that are set for a person given the status he or
she occupies. It pertains to the norms, behaviors, values, and personal
characteristics that are attached to the status of the person.
B. ROLES
Examples:
• A person with a status of being a student has a role of attending classes,
studying lessons, and communicating with the teachers.
• A person with a status of being a teacher is expected to do his role of
teaching, giving feedback, assessing, or evaluating the performance of the
students.
• An employed call center agent has role of answering questions, solving
problems and researching information.
B. ROLES
Examples:
• A person with a status of being a student has a role of attending classes,
studying lessons, and communicating with the teachers.
• A person with a status of being a teacher is expected to do his role of
teaching, giving feedback, assessing, or evaluating the performance of the
students.
• An employed call center agent has role of answering questions, solving
problems and researching information.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF STATUS WITH THE
CORRESPONDING ROLES
Type of Status Example of Status Corresponding Roles

Ascribed A farm boy Planting crops, tilling the soil,

Achieved An Agriculturist Studying and developing the best practices

for raising livestock and growing crops

Master An environmentalist Protecting the environment, alerting

ecologist people to environmental issues, educating
them about precise steps that they can take
to alleviate damage.
ISSUES CONCERNING
STATUS AND ROLES
1. Role Strain – occurs when there is tension involved
within just one status Example: A professor cannot
engage in a closed friendship with any students to
maintain standard for respect and professionalism.
2. Role Exit – pertains to the course of disengaging a
person from his or her role that is essential to his or her
self-identity. Example: A professional basketball players
retires and focuses on the business. An actress who needs
to leave the showbiz industry due to untimely pregnancy.
3. Role Conflict – arises when incompatible expectations
occur from two or more statuses that a person is
occupying. Performing the role of one status makes it
challenging to perform the role of another status.
Example: It is very challenging for a woman to be the best
mother and the best employee all at the same time.