All human societies are governed by rules. These rules regulate behavior by defining what individuals may do and what they must refrain from doing. Without such rules, social life would be chaotic and unpredictable.
In sociology, these rules are referred to as norms. Norms are the shared expectations that guide behavior within a society. They are not all of equal importance, however. Sociologists commonly distinguish between two major types of norms: folkways and mores.
Folkways are norms that govern everyday behavior but are not considered morally significant. They include customary practices such as dress codes, table manners, and greetings. Violations of folkways typically attract mild or informal sanctions, such as disapproval, ridicule, or social awkwardness.
Mores (pronounced mo-rays), by contrast, are norms that are regarded as essential to the moral order and well-being of society. They embody a society’s core values and ethical principles. Because of their importance, violations of mores provoke strong reactions and severe sanctions, which may include condemnation, exclusion, or other forms of serious social punishment.
One way to determine the relative importance of a norm is to examine the sanctions attached to it. Sanctions are the consequences—either positive or negative—that follow from conformity or deviance. When violations result in severe sanctions, the norm in question is typically a more; when sanctions are mild, the norm is more likely a folkway.
Norms can also be classified in another way: as prescriptive or proscriptive. Prescriptive norms specify what individuals are expected to do—for example, caring for one’s children or telling the truth. Proscriptive norms, on the other hand, define what individuals are expected not to do, such as stealing, lying, or committing acts of violence.
Prescriptive norms are stated in affirmative terms; they specify what individuals are expected to do. For example, one might say, “Give regular hugs to your children,” or “Show respect to elderly people in society.” Proscriptive norms, by contrast, are expressed in negative terms; they specify what individuals are expected not to do. Examples include: “Do not drink and drive,” “Do not accuse anyone of being a witch,” and “Do not take the property of others without their permission.”
When certain mores are deemed so vital that their violation threatens the stability, safety, or survival of society, they are formalized into laws. Laws are norms that have been codified and institutionalized by the state. Unlike informal norms, laws are enforced by formal agents of social control, such as the police, courts, and correctional institutions.
The violation of a criminal law constitutes a crime. Because laws carry the authority of the state, their enforcement is backed by formal and often severe sanctions. These punitive sanctions may include fines, imprisonment, or, in some jurisdictions, the death penalty. Through this process, what begins as a social rule rooted in shared values may ultimately become a legally binding command, backed by the coercive power of the state.
