What is the process called by which social values are learned?

The process by which social values are learned is referred to as enculturation. This concept encompasses the ways in which individuals learn and adopt the cultural norms, values, and practices of their own society. Through enculturation, individuals internalize their culture's beliefs, rituals, and social behaviors from a young age, primarily influenced by family, peers, education, and media.

This learning process distinguishes enculturation from other related concepts. For instance, acculturation generally involves the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group, often in the context of multiple cultures interacting. Assimilation refers to the process in which individuals or groups from one culture become part of another culture, often losing their original cultural identity in the process. Socialization, while related, is a broader term that encompasses all mechanisms by which individuals learn societal norms and behaviors, including enculturation and other influences throughout their lifetime.

Thus, enculturation specifically focuses on how individuals learn and internalize the values and norms of their own culture, making it the most appropriate term for this question.