Mores (generally pronounced
/ˈmɔːreɪz/, and often
/ˈmɔːriːz/; from
Latin mōrēs,
[ˈmoːreːs], plural form of singular
mōs, meaning "manner", "custom", "usage", "habit") is a term introduced into English by
William Graham Sumner (1840–1910), an early U.S.
sociologist, to refer to
social norms that are widely observed and are considered to have greater moral significance than others. Mores include an aversion for societal
taboos, such as
incest. The mores of a society usually predicate legislation prohibiting their taboos. Often, countries will employ specialized
vice squads or vice police engaged in suppressing specific crimes offending the societal mores.
Folkways, in sociology, are norms for routine or casual interaction. This includes ideas about appropriate greetings and proper dress in different situations.
In short, mores "distinguish the difference between right and wrong, while folkways draw a line between right and rude".
Both "mores" and "folkways" are terms coined by William Graham Sumner in 1906.
