internalization.

1. The process by which a norm, value or way of responding becomes part of a person’s own beliefs or habits.

2. The incorporation of costs or benefits previously imposed outside an actor into that actor’s own incentives or obligations.

3. The movement of a substance or structure from outside a cell or biological boundary into its interior.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• internalization of norms
• internalization of criticism

On the page

Internalization of the rule changed how she evaluated her own choices even when supervision ended.

The essay traced internalization of criticism without treating it as evidence that the criticism was fair.

Usage notes

Primary category: psychology / character / human behavior. Forms: Usually uncountable. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: characterization, motivation, interpersonal behavior, self-evaluation. Disciplines: psychology, human behavior, character writing. Commonness: uncommon.