What is the process of socialization that helps individuals adapt to cultural norms and expectations?

The process of socialization that helps individuals adapt to cultural norms and expectations is best captured by the term socialization. This refers to the lifelong process through which people learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and behaviors that are considered appropriate in their society. Through socialization, individuals become familiar with their culture's norms and practices, enabling them to function socially and contribute to their communities.

While "enculturation" specifically focuses on the adoption of the norms and values of one's own culture, and "acculturation" pertains to the adaptation of individuals or groups to a new culture, socialization encompasses these processes as part of the broad experience of learning how to live within a set of societal norms and expectations. Assimilation, on the other hand, refers to the process in which individuals from one culture adopt the practices and values of another culture, often leading to a loss of their original cultural identity. Thus, while related, socialization is the overarching process that includes several specific forms of adaptation to cultural norms.