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Enculturation is a term first used by sociologist of science Harry Collins. In his work The Seven Sexes [1] published in 1975.

In the article the enculturation is defined in relation to community of scientists.

Learning by Immersion: Enculturation involves a process of learning through immersion in the practices and social environment of a community. In the context of science, this means that aspiring scientists learn by engaging in the daily activities of the laboratory, interacting with other scientists, and participating in experiments and discussions.

The ingredients discussed by Collins for enculturation are

  1. Tacit Knowledge: highlighting the importance of tacit knowledge—knowledge that is not easily codified or written down but is acquired through experience and practice.
  2. Socialization: where individuals learn the social norms, values, and behaviors expected within the scientific community.
  3. Language and Discourse: Scientists must become fluent in the terminology, theoretical frameworks, and modes of argumentation specific to their discipline.
  4. Community Membership: recognition of the individual as a legitimate member of the scientific community.
  1. ^ Collins, H. M. (1975). "The Seven Sexes: A Study in the Sociology of a Phenomenon, or the Replication of Experiments in Physics". Sociology. 9 (2): 205–224.