Anticipatory socialization

Definition

Anticipatory socialization is the process by which individuals practice and prepare for future social roles and situations before they actually enter them. This involves learning and adopting behaviors, values, and norms associated with a status or role one aspires to occupy.

Related terms

Role: A set of behaviors, rights, obligations, beliefs, and norms expected from an individual who occupies a particular position in society.

Socialization:

The lifelong process through which people learn the values, norms, and practices of their culture and society.

Resocialization:

The process of discarding former behavior patterns and accepting new ones as part of a transition in one's life