What process involves discarding former behavior patterns to accept new ones during a life transition?

The process of discarding former behavior patterns to accept new ones during a life transition is known as resocialization. This concept is essential in sociology as it highlights how individuals can change their beliefs, values, and social norms when they enter a new environment or experience significant life changes. Resocialization often occurs in contexts where an individual must adopt new roles, such as when starting a new job, entering a different cultural setting, or moving into a different social institution, such as a prison or the military.

During resocialization, people may undergo systematic changes that involve both the unlearning of old habits and the learning of new behaviors. This can be a deliberate process, often facilitated by institutions, but it can also occur through personal experiences in everyday life. Through resocialization, individuals can fully integrate into a new social environment, which often requires them to adapt to the expectations and norms of that setting. This unique process is distinct from other concepts such as adaptation, role modification, or social adjustment, which do not specifically capture the comprehensive transformation of a person’s identity and behaviors as they transition into a new phase of life.