Cohort and generation: concepts in studies of social change from a lifecourse perspective

Abstract

‘Generation’ and ‘cohort’ are concepts associated with lifecourse and biographical research and are often used interchangeably in studies of social change. Based on the origins of the concepts, this paper draws a distinction between them that can be helpful in discussions about important questions in contemporary society. Empirical examples demonstrate how the concepts are used in research and set these in the context of the history of this particular sociological tradition.