Sociologists call these laws, folkways, taboos and mores. Folkways are sometimes called customs or conventions, and are usually referring to activities that are approved by society, but do not carry any moral significance. On the other hand, taboos are usually offenses that carry moral significance, are not approved by society, but also have enacted laws addressing them. These are different from mores which are similar, but do not have any control or dictation under the current law.