Mores
/ˈmɔːrɪz/
nounB2plural
Definition
Mores are the accepted customs, behaviors, and moral rules that a society or group expects its members to follow. They guide how people act in important ways, often related to right and wrong, and breaking mores usually causes strong disapproval or social punishment.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Social rules about right and wrong behavior in a community
- •In many cultures, honesty is one of the strongest mores.
- •Violating the mores of a society can lead to social rejection.
- •The mores of the tribe forbid stealing from others.
Moral customs that guide acceptable behavior
- •The mores about respect for elders are very important in that culture.
- •Changing mores can happen slowly as society evolves.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "mores" like "rules," but these are about behavior and what a group thinks is right or wrong, not just any rules like in games
- ✓Picture a family or community where everyone knows what is polite or rude without being told every time
- ✓It's the feeling when you know you should not lie or steal because everyone around you expects honesty and fairness
- ✓Sounds like "mores" → imagine "more rules" that are very important for how people live together
- ✓Think of stories or movies where a character breaks the community’s important rules and faces serious problems
- ✓NOT like "laws" (official government rules), mores are social and come from culture and tradition
- ✓NOT like "customs" (which are habits or traditions), mores are stronger and more about moral right and wrong
- ✓NOT like "norms" (general expectations), mores are stricter and more serious, often connected to ethics or morality
Try Other Words
- •Customs: traditional ways of behaving (Use when talking about habits or traditions, less strict than mores)
- •Norms: usual ways people behave (Use when talking about common social behavior, but less about moral right/wrong)
- •Ethics: moral principles (Use when focusing on ideas of right and wrong, especially in professional or philosophical contexts)
- •Values: important beliefs (Use when talking about what people think is important, broader than mores)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: base "more" + plural suffix "-s"
- •Etymology: From Latin "mores" meaning "customs, manners, behavior"
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s in English to describe social customs and moral rules
- •Modern usage: Refers to the strong social rules about right and wrong behavior in groups or societies
- •Key insight: Mores are not written laws but powerful social expectations that guide moral behavior
Reflect & Connect
•How do mores in your culture influence the way people behave every day?
•Can mores change over time? What might cause a society’s mores to change?
Fill in the blanks
1.When someone breaks the mores of a community, they usually face ___ from others because their behavior is seen as wrong.
2.Mores are different from laws because they come from ___ traditions and social beliefs, not government rules.
3.Respecting elders is an example of a ___ that is part of many societies’ mores.
4.People follow mores because they want to be accepted and avoid ___ or punishment.
5.Changing mores can happen slowly as people’s ___ and ideas about right and wrong evolve.
6.Mores are stricter than simple customs because they involve ___ ideas about good and bad behavior.
7.In some cultures, mores about dress and speech are very important and breaking them can ___ social relationships.