Legitimation and participation define ways of belonging to a community, whereas peripherality and participation are concerned with location and identity in the social world.

Lave and Wenger's research examined how a community and its members learn within apprenticeships. When newcomers join an established community, they initially observe and perform simple tasks in basic roles while they learn community norms and practices. For example, an apprentice electrician might watch and learn through observation before doing any electrical work,