What does internalization mean?
Internalization is the process of making something internal. In personal and social contexts, it describes how people adopt ideas, values, attitudes, or practices until they become part of their own outlook or conduct rather than merely external requirements. For example, someone who has internalized the importance of regular exercise may continue the habit even when no one is monitoring it. In economics and organizational studies, internalization can instead mean bringing external costs, risks, or responsibilities into the boundaries of an organization or market transaction. The term is formal and technical, so “incorporation” or “adoption” may be more natural in general conversation. Internalization is also related to externalization, the process by which responsibilities or effects that originated within a person or organization are shifted outward. The word is useful whenever a distinction is needed between merely following an outside principle and genuinely taking it into one’s own thinking or system.
The process of incorporating an idea, attitude, value, or practice into one's thinking or behavior.
"The discussion focused on the internalization of civic responsibility among young people."
Common in psychology, education, and social-science writing; it usually implies more than temporary compliance.
The process of bringing an external cost, responsibility, or effect within an organization, market, or decision-making system.
"The regulation encouraged the internalization of pollution-related costs by manufacturers."
Especially used in economics, business, and public policy; in this sense it is closely related to internalizing externalities.
Plural forms are used when referring to separate instances of the process, as in studies comparing different forms of value internalization.
"The researchers compared internalizations of environmental responsibility across several regions."
Internalization is the moment an outside idea or responsibility becomes something you or your organization treats as its own.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does internalization come from?
Internalization was formed in the 19th century from internalize plus the suffix -ation, which turns a verb into a noun. Internalize derives from internal, which comes through Latin internus, meaning “inner” or “internal.” The same Latin root also underlies words such as interior and international.
Related word forms
How internalization is actually used
The word is formal and relatively uncommon in everyday speech. In psychology, it often describes adopting values or perspectives as part of one's own outlook; in economics and business, it commonly describes assigning outside costs or responsibilities to an organization or its products.
Easily confused with internalization
Internalization means making something internal or incorporating it into a person or organization, whereas internationalization means extending something across national borders.