Mores | sociology | Britannica

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sociology

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July 1, 2026

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Mores are the fixed, morally binding customs of a particular group, representing behaviors considered essential to a society's welfare. Unlike folkways, which are social conventions without moral significance (like telephone etiquette), mores carry significant ethical weight. Infringements of folkways may result in mild disapproval, while breaking mores can lead to severe condemnation or punishment. For instance, polygamy violates the mores of American society. Mores are deeply ingrained habits and moral attitudes that guide behavior within a social or professional setting.123

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folkway
Some folkways become mores (borrowed from the Latin word for customs by Sumner) when they become ethical principles, the behaviours considered essential to the welfare of the society. Mores are more coercive than folkways: relatively mild disapproval follows an infringement of a folkway; severe disapproval or punishment follows…
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Some folkways become mores (borrowed from the Latin word for customs by Sumner) when they become ethical principles, the behaviours considered essential to the welfare of the society. Mores are more coercive than folkways: relatively mild disapproval follows an infringement of a folkway; severe disapproval or punishment follows…
Read More