Standards for human behavior are primarily established through what?

The correct answer is laws, as they serve as formal standards that govern human behavior within society. Laws are established through legislative processes and are enforceable by governmental agencies, ensuring that individuals and organizations adhere to recognized norms in various areas, including healthcare. They provide a clear framework that outlines acceptable behaviors and the consequences for violations, thereby protecting individuals' rights and maintaining public order.

While ethics also play a crucial role in shaping human behavior, they are more subjective and often reflect individual or cultural values rather than providing a uniform set of rules that can be legally enforced. Regulations, on the other hand, are specific provisions created by governmental agencies to implement and enforce laws, but they do not constitute the primary source of standards in the same foundational way that laws do. Guidelines serve as recommendations or best practices, often aimed at helping individuals conform to ethical standards or regulations but lack the binding authority of laws.