Final answer:
The three stages in the rites of passage theory are separation, where individuals leave their former social status; liminality, the transition phase of uncertainty with tasks and learning; and incorporation, where individuals assume a new social identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rites of Passage Three-Stage Process
The three stage process in the rites of passage theory, first articulated by anthropologist Arnold Van Gennep in 1909, involves the following stages:
- Separation: This is the initial phase where individuals are detached from their current social status. They physically or symbolically leave their previous life, which commences their transition into a new phase.
- Liminality (also known as the transition phase): In this stage, the individuals are in a state of ambiguity and undergo various tasks, challenges, or instruction, which are pivotal in preparing them for a new social role.
- Incorporation: The final phase where individuals rejoin the community with a new, formally recognized social status. This is accompanied by the assumption of new responsibilities and roles that define their new identity in society.
Rites of passage are not limited to any specific culture or religion and can include events such as birth, coming of age, marriage, and death.