This article discusses the research question 'Which characteristics of social behavior and attitudes are embedded in the latent orientation of supervision practices in doctoral education and training?' based on socialization theory (Grundmann, M. 2006. "Sozialisation: Skizze einer allgemeinen Theorie." Konstanz: UVK). These latent orientations are towards (a) the academic community and (b) the PhD candidate. Both orientations are based on a fragile equilibrium and/or ambivalence of cognitive and social practices in the supervisor--PhD candidate relationship. A bundle of 14 supervision practices (Schneijderberg, C. 2018. "Promovieren in den Sozialwissenschaften." Wiesbaden: Springer) is used as an empirical example to theoretically reflect the latent orientations which become manifest in supervision practices. The article shows how the theoretically latent but possibly dominant socialization practices of supervisors geared towards the academic community could collide with the development of PhD candidates' personality, knowledge and skills, and possibly lead to attrition and drop-out of PhD candidates.