Norms can be internalized, making an individual conform without external rewards or punishments. There are four types of social norms that can help inform people about behavior that is considered acceptable: folkways, mores, taboos, and law. Further, social norms can vary across time, cultures, places, and even sub-group (Goode, 2015).

1.5.1 Folkway

Think back to your first experiences in school, and surely you can identify some folkways and mores learned. Folkways are behaviors that are learned and shared by a social group. We often refer to this as “customs” in a group that are not morally significant, but they can be important for social acceptance (Augustyn et al, n.d.). Each group can develop different customs, but there can be customs that are embraced at a larger, societal level.

Imagine sitting in a college classroom with sixty other people around. As a professor who teaches early morning classes, it is always encouraged to eat if hungry. However, everyone must be considerate of those around them. You should not chew loudly. That would be considered rude, and it is against class “customs” to do so. To make it worse, imagine burping without saying, “excuse me.” These would be folkway violations. Remember, this may not be disrespectful in all cultures, and it is very subjective.

1.5.2 Mores

Perhaps stricter than folkways are mores because they can lead to a violation of what we view as moral and ethical behavior. Mores are norms of morality, or right and wrong, and if you break one, it is often considered offensive to most people of a culture (Sumner, 1906). Sometimes a violation can also be illegal, but other times it can just be offensive. If a more is not written down in legislation, it cannot get sanctioned by the criminal justice system. Other times it can be both illegal and morally wrong.

If one attended a funeral for a family member, no one would expect to see someone in bright pink clothes or a bikini. Most people are encouraged to wear black clothing out of respect. There may not be specific rules or laws that state expected attire to wear to a funeral. It would be against what most of American society views as right and wrong to attend a funeral in a bikini or be in hot pink leotards. It would be disrespectful to the individual people who are mourning. Both mores and folkways are taught through socialization with various sources: family, friends, peers, schools, and more.

1.5.3 Taboo

A taboo goes a step further and is a very negative norm that should not get violated because people will be upset. Additionally, one may get excluded from the group or society. The nature and the degree of the taboo are in the mores (Sumner, 1906).