What term describes a society's or group's code of conduct regarding behavior?

The term that best describes a society's or group's code of conduct regarding behavior is morality. Morality encompasses the principles and values that govern the way individuals within a community interact and make decisions about right and wrong. It reflects the beliefs and cultural practices of a group, influencing attitudes and behaviors.

While ethics is often used interchangeably with morality, it specifically pertains to formalized codes and professional standards, particularly in fields like law, medicine, and business. Laws are established rules that are enforceable by a governing authority and may not always reflect the moral values of society, as laws can sometimes allow for behaviors that certain groups might consider immoral. Norms represent the expectations or unwritten rules that guide social behavior within a group but do not capture the broader philosophical implications of morality. Therefore, morality is the most comprehensive term addressing the collective code of conduct within a society.