When Derek was an infant, his parents taught him that sharing toys with others is ethical. As Derek grew older, they taught him the correct way to address others and the manners that are socially acceptable. When Derek began going to school, he learned various other customs and behaviors from his peers and teachers. The social interaction that occurred during these years helped Derek acquire a self-identity and learn practices that are crucial for survival in society. This scenario illustrates the concept of __________.

The concept of socialization is used in social psychology to illustrate the process in which a child begins to learn how to interact with others and, in doing so, internalizes social rules and socially accepted behaviors. According to the interactionist perspective, a child's first socialization group is the family, followed by the school, which gives the child the opportunity to interact with peers and other authority figures, like teachers. It is also where he first encounters a set of rules that he must follow. The socialization process also has an important role in the development of an identity, a sense of self and a sense of belonging.