Final answer:
Social norms are the rules of conduct influenced by family, culture, religion, and society, encompassing laws, morals, and cultural practices that dictate acceptable behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that best describes a set of rules of conduct that are formed through the influence of family, culture, religion, and society is social norms. These norms are part of a culture, which is defined by shared beliefs, values, and practices that members must learn to function within a society. Social norms dictate how individuals are expected to behave in various situations and can encompass laws, morals, values, religious beliefs, customs, fashions, rituals, and all the cultural rules that govern social life.
Different types of norms exist, such as folkways and mores. Mores, in particular, are norms that represent a society's most important moral views and principles. They are often deeply entrenched with religious underpinnings and are held in place by formal sanctions like laws, as well as informal sanctions such as social approval or disapproval. Violations of mores can result in serious social consequences, such as shame or ostracism.
Culture plays a vital role in forming these norms, as it encompasses the group's way of life and social rules. It is important to sociologists to understand not only what these rules are but also the context in which certain behaviors are deemed appropriate or not.