Folkways & mores: categorizing social norms
Sociologists categorize social norms into two major groups: folkways and mores. These terms were coined by American sociologist William Graham Sumner in 1906 and are widely used to understand social norms today.
Folkways can be described as “standards of behavior that are socially approved but not morally significant” (Crossman, 2013). Folkways are learned behaviors that are born of basic needs that then form into repeated actions that become uniform and widely accepted. They are informal norms for casual or everyday behavior that are followed for the sake of tradition or convenience.
Folkways are shaped by tradition, habit and religious sanctions and tend be grouped around major social concerns such as food, sex and the formation of social institutions like the family. Violating these norms does not usually have serious moral or legal consequences outside of basic reprimands or warnings (i.e.: Failure to wait your turn in line may result in bad looks or a slight verbal reprimand) (Crossman, 2013).
In the workplace we see folkways showing up as cultural or gender norms that characterize basic behaviors, unspoken expectations as to how to act in meetings, greetings or the use of formal and informal language between co-workers and clients.
Mores are strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior. They are based on definitions of right and wrong, are morally significant and tend to be behaviors that are considered essential to the welfare of the society (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2013). Violating mores results in severe disapproval, exclusion or punishment. The mores of a society tend to predicate legislation prohibiting the society’s taboos (Crossman, 2013).
Folkways can be described as “standards of behavior that are socially approved but not morally significant” (Crossman, 2013). Folkways are learned behaviors that are born of basic needs that then form into repeated actions that become uniform and widely accepted. They are informal norms for casual or everyday behavior that are followed for the sake of tradition or convenience.
Folkways are shaped by tradition, habit and religious sanctions and tend be grouped around major social concerns such as food, sex and the formation of social institutions like the family. Violating these norms does not usually have serious moral or legal consequences outside of basic reprimands or warnings (i.e.: Failure to wait your turn in line may result in bad looks or a slight verbal reprimand) (Crossman, 2013).
In the workplace we see folkways showing up as cultural or gender norms that characterize basic behaviors, unspoken expectations as to how to act in meetings, greetings or the use of formal and informal language between co-workers and clients.
Mores are strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior. They are based on definitions of right and wrong, are morally significant and tend to be behaviors that are considered essential to the welfare of the society (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2013). Violating mores results in severe disapproval, exclusion or punishment. The mores of a society tend to predicate legislation prohibiting the society’s taboos (Crossman, 2013).
EXAMPLES OF FOLKWAYS
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EXAMPLES OF MORES
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