What term describes the behavior and conduct expectations regulated by society?

The term that describes the behavior and conduct expectations regulated by society is ethics. Ethics reflects the standards and principles that govern the conduct of individuals and groups within a society, guiding what is considered right or wrong. Ethics is broader than morality, encompassing the systemic study of what actions are deemed acceptable or unacceptable in various contexts.

While morality often refers to personal beliefs about right and wrong, ethics represents a collective agreement or the formalized system of these beliefs that guide behavior in social, professional, and institutional settings. Therefore, ethics provides a framework that holds individuals accountable and ensures there is a shared understanding of expected behaviors, thereby promoting harmony and order within society.

In contrast, culture is more about the social norms, values, customs, and practices that characterize a particular group, whereas compliance refers specifically to adhering to regulations or laws. Morality deals more with individual conscience and personal beliefs, while ethics tends to reflect societal standards.