Enculturation

The process of learning a culture. As opposed to acculturation (which refers to groups), enculturation is the acquisition by the individual, whether consciously or unconsciously, of the specific cultural standards and symbols of his environment. The enculturation process usually progresses in stages, six-year olds tending to be more enculturated than three-year olds, and teenagers having almost completed the process (or believing they have). Acculturation of groups refers to their tendency to adapt to become almost indistinguishable from the dominant culture of their society.