Socialization is the process by which individuals learn norms and customs to conform to society. It occurs through various stages across one's lifetime as they learn new social roles and ways of thinking. The key agents of socialization include family, school, peer groups, and other social institutions which help induct individuals into culture through imitation, suggestion, identification, and language. Theories of socialization explore how individuals develop a sense of self and identity through perceiving themselves and internalizing social norms.