resocialization: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal; primarily academic, sociological, psychological, and professional contexts.
Quick answer
What does “resocialization” mean?
The process by which an individual is socialized again, often learning new norms, values, and behaviors to function in a new social context or after a significant life change.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process by which an individual is socialized again, often learning new norms, values, and behaviors to function in a new social context or after a significant life change.
Can refer to the deliberate re-education process in institutional settings (like prisons or military) to conform individuals to societal expectations, or the natural adaptation process when entering a new culture or subculture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'resocialisation' is the standard British spelling. 'Resocialization' is standard American. The 'z' vs 's' distinction applies.
Connotations
Both varieties carry the same core meaning, heavily associated with sociology, criminology, and psychology.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, confined to specialized discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “resocialization” in a Sentence
The [institution] focuses on the resocialization of [group].[Individual] underwent resocialization after [event/life change].A key goal is the successful resocialization into [society/community].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “resocialization” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The programme aims to resocialise former inmates into the community.
- Societies constantly resocialise their members through various institutions.
American English
- The prison's goal is to resocialize offenders before release.
- Immigrants often must resocialize themselves to new cultural norms.
adverb
British English
- The group worked resocialisingly to integrate the new members. (Extremely rare/constructed)
American English
- The approach was designed resocializingly. (Extremely rare/constructed)
adjective
British English
- The resocialisation process can be challenging.
- They followed a strict resocialisation programme.
American English
- The resocialization effort was largely unsuccessful.
- He needed resocialization therapy after his long isolation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically for corporate culture training after a merger.
Academic
Common in sociology, psychology, and criminology texts discussing institutional influence on behavior.
Everyday
Very rare. Would likely be replaced by 'getting used to a new way of life' or 'rehab'.
Technical
Precise term in social sciences for the process of learning new societal norms.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “resocialization”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “resocialization”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “resocialization”
- Confusing with 'rehabilitation' (which is broader, often including medical/vocational aspects).
- Using in informal contexts where 'adjustment' or 'adapting' would be more natural.
- Misspelling as 'resocialisation' in American English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they overlap. Rehabilitation is broader, often including medical, psychological, and vocational restoration. Resocialization is specifically about relearning social norms and roles, and is a key component of rehabilitation in contexts like criminology.
Yes, while often discussed as a deliberate program (e.g., in prisons), it can also refer to the natural, though often difficult, process of adapting to a new culture, job, or social role after a major life transition.
Processes like desocialization (the unlearning of old norms) or antisocialization (learning norms contrary to mainstream society). In outcome, the opposite would be persistent maladjustment, marginalization, or social isolation.
It is technically neutral but context-dependent. It can be positive when describing successful integration. It can have negative connotations when implying forced conformity or the stripping of an individual's prior identity, as in critiques of total institutions.
The process by which an individual is socialized again, often learning new norms, values, and behaviors to function in a new social context or after a significant life change.
Resocialization is usually formal; primarily academic, sociological, psychological, and professional contexts. in register.
Resocialization: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˌsəʊʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriˌsoʊʃələˈzeɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A fish out of water (describes state before resocialization)”
- “Back to square one (implying a need for resocialization)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE + SOCIAL + IZATION. It's the process of becoming social again, or learning social rules anew.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A MACHINE (that can be recalibrated); THE SELF IS CLAY (that can be reshaped).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'resocialization' MOST appropriately used?