internalization

Meaning: In socialization, people absorb the norms and values of family, peers, school, and media so that behavior is guided by their own beliefs and not by outside pressure. In Kelman's account of social influence there are three responses. Compliance is outward agreement to gain a reward or avoid punishment, with private views unchanged. Identification is adopting a behavior or attitude to resemble a liked or admired person or group, and it often lasts only while that relationship matters. Internalization is accepting the belief because it seems right and fits one's existing values, so it tends to persist without an audience. A second MCAT sense appears in development: in Vygotsky's view, social speech and shared cultural tools become inner speech and thought.

On the MCAT: A passage describes someone who changes behavior or attitude, and you must name the type of influence. Look for the clue about observation. If the behavior continues when no one is watching and matches the person's stated beliefs, think internalization. If it stops when the observer leaves, think compliance.

Common confusion: Students mix it up with identification, since both involve a change in private attitude. The deciding fact is the reason: identification depends on the model or group, while internalization depends on the content itself. It is also not internal (dispositional) attribution, which is explaining behavior by traits.