Social Clock in AP Psychology

Definition

The social clock refers to the culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement.

Related terms

Norms:

These are understood rules for accepted and expected behavior in society.

Cultural Relativity: This is the understanding that an individual's beliefs and activities should be interpreted in terms of his or her own culture, not judged against the criteria of another.

Life Course Theory: This theory looks at aging as a process guided by structural, biological and individual factors operating throughout the life span.