Enculturation is the process whereby individuals learn their group's culture through experience, observation, and instruction. To learn is to develop the knowledge and skills needed to participate in the communal, cultural practices and to become a fully functioning member of the community.
Sociologist Herskovits in his cultural anthropology defines
enculturation as ‘the aspects of the learning experience that mark off man from
other creatures and by means of which he achieves competence in his culture’.
As part of the process of Enculturation, the influences
that direct and shape an individual include parents, adults, peers etc. It
results in competence in language, values and rituals of the culture. It is a
part of socialization. Enculturation could be both conscious and unconscious
conditioning where the individual internalizes culture. The process starts at
birth and continues until death.
Thus, through Enculturation, individuals acquire knowledge,
skills, attitudes and values that enable them to become functioning members of
their society.
For those who prefer to Listen & Learn, you can hear the same by clicking the link Enculturation
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