---
title: "Cultural Norms — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Cultural norms are a society's shared rules for acceptable behavior. They explain how gender roles form in Topic 6.7 and power sociocultural-perspective questions."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/cultural-norms"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Psychology"
---

# Cultural Norms — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Cultural norms are the shared expectations and rules that guide behavior within a specific culture or society. They shape our beliefs, values, and behaviors by providing guidelines for what is considered acceptable or appropriate in different social contexts.

## Review

### Related Terms

- Socialization: The process through which individuals learn and internalize the values, attitudes, and behaviors of their culture or society.
- [Ethnocentrism](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/ethnocentrism): The tendency to judge other cultures based on the standards and values of one's own culture.
- [Gender Roles](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/gender-roles): The set of societal expectations regarding behaviors, attitudes, and responsibilities assigned to individuals based on their perceived gender.