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The process by which individuals internalize societal values is best described by the term socialization. Socialization is the lifelong process through which people learn and adopt the norms, values, behaviors, and social skills appropriate to their society or culture. This process begins in childhood and continues throughout one's life, as individuals interact with family, peers, educational institutions, and various social groups that influence their understanding of societal expectations.

In contrast, assimilation refers to the process by which individuals or minority groups adopt the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture, often leading to a loss of their original culture. Stratification involves the hierarchical organization of society into different social classes and does not pertain directly to internalizing values. Acculturation involves the cultural and psychological changes that occur when different cultures come into contact, but it specifically focuses on the adaptation aspects rather than the broad internalization of societal values. Thus, socialization captures the essence of how individuals come to understand and embody the values of the society they live in.