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-groups (Goode, 2015).

Folkway

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 (Folkway, 2014). Each group can develop different customs, but there can be customs that are embraced at a larger, societal level.

Think about the unwritten rule of waiting your turn in line. In school, whether it’s lining up for lunch, entering a classroom, or waiting to use the restroom, there’s an unspoken expectation that everyone will take their turn patiently. While it might not be explicitly stated in school policies or rules, cutting in line is often seen as a breach of this social norm. It’s a folkway that helps maintain order in shared spaces and shows consideration for others.

Mores

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). Mores are stricter than folkways because they can lead to a violation of behavior society views as moral or ethical. 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.

Imagine you’re at a formal business meeting. In this setting, there might not be a strict law that says you must wear a suit or professional attire, but it’s generally expected and considered a more. Wearing pajamas or extremely casual clothing at such a professional gathering would likely be viewed as not just a fashion mistake but also a breach of the moral expectations within that social context. Even if it’s not explicitly written down in a rulebook, there’s an unwritten understanding that certain attire aligns with the moral and ethical standards of the business environment. It’s about respecting the seriousness and professionalism of the occasion, similar to how wearing bright clothes at a funeral would be considered disrespectful.

Taboo

A taboo goes a step further and is a very negative norm that should not be 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).

Imagine a scenario where someone is talking loudly on their phone during a final exam. In many academic settings, this would be considered a taboo. The act of disrupting a quiet and focused environment during an exam is not only against the rules but is also socially unacceptable and goes against the shared understanding of what appropriate behavior is during a test. Even if it’s not explicitly stated as a “taboo,” there’s a strong social norm against causing disturbances in such a serious and focused setting like an exam. It’s a behavior that’s not just rule-breaking but is also widely considered disrespectful and inappropriate in the context of academic expectations.

Do you think folkways, mores, and taboos play a role in which laws we make in society?

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“1.4. Social Norms: Folkways, Mores, Taboo, and Laws” is adapted from “1.3. Social Norms: Folkways, Mores, Taboo, and Laws” by Shanell Sanchez in SOU-CCJ230 Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System by Alison S. Burke, David Carter, Brian Fedorek, Tiffany Morey, Lore Rutz-Burri, and Shanell Sanchez, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Modified by Sam Arungwa and revised by Roxie Supplee, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, with changes to the language and new examples.