What does the term 'enculturation' refer to?

The term 'enculturation' specifically refers to the process by which individuals learn and adopt the behaviors, norms, values, and social practices of their own culture from infancy through adulthood. This encompasses how cultural knowledge and societal expectations are transmitted through various means, such as family, education, peers, and media, allowing individuals to become functioning members of their cultural community.

This process is essential for the formation of identity and socialization, as it helps individuals understand their roles and responsibilities within their society. It is inherently a lifelong process, reflecting how culture is not genetically inherited but rather learned and internalized.

The other options address different concepts. Adapting to a new culture is more accurately described by acculturation, which occurs when individuals encounter and adjust to a different culture. Moral values guiding society pertain to ethical frameworks and principles rather than the learning process of culture itself. The disorientation felt during culture shock refers to the emotional and psychological challenges faced when someone is immersed in an unfamiliar culture, which does not capture the ongoing, lifelong process of learning one's native culture that enculturation embodies.