Which term describes social rules that guide behavior and expectations in society?

• A. Norms
• B. Folkways
• C. Values
• D. Mores

Answer: (A)

Social rules that guide behavior and expectations in society are norms. Norms are the shared expectations about how people should act in various situations, providing a framework for everyday interactions and social order. They can be formal, like laws, or informal, like everyday etiquette.

Within norms, there are different levels of strength. Folkways are mild expectations about ordinary behavior—politeness, dress codes, or casual courtesies. Violating folkways usually results in light social disapproval. Mores, on the other hand, are stronger norms tied to moral beliefs; violating them draws serious sanctions, such as moral outrage or legal consequences. Values are the beliefs about what is important or desirable, and they underlie norms, but they are not the actual rules of behavior themselves.

So, the term that describes social rules guiding behavior and expectations is norms.