Which term best describes the social norms that govern everyday behavior and are less formal than laws?

• A. Mores
• B. Institutions
• C. Folkways
• D. Taboos

Answer: (C)

Folkways are everyday norms that guide routine behavior and etiquette, and they’re informal rather than codified like laws. They shape how we greet people, dress for various settings, and act in public, with violations usually resulting in mild social disapproval rather than formal punishment. The other terms don’t fit as well: mores are norms with strong moral significance and serious sanctions if violated, taboos are acts prohibited on an almost universal level, and institutions refer to enduring social structures that organize society rather than simple everyday rules.