Durkheim - sociological theory

Question 1

Outline the key features of a mechanical society

Answer 1

• rural/county
• role of life handed down to you
• religion had a strong hold/provided ethics
• uniform way of life
• crime seen as a violation of group norms
• punitive/visible justice

Question 2

Outline the key features of an organic society

Answer 2

• city/urban societies
• complex forms of work
• crime seen as a violation of individual rights
• reparative justice
• more individual
• more diverse

Question 3

Why do conflicts in society (e.g class conflicts) arise?

Answer 3

They arise from incomplete realisation of the move from mechanical to organic solidarity/society. This contrasts to Marx’s view that conflicts are inherent in capitalists belief systems

Question 4

What are the three abnormal forms of the division of labour?

Answer 4

1. anomic
2. forced
3. poorly coordinated

Question 5

What are the two types of social fact?

Answer 5

1. material (e.g technologies/our built environment)

2. non-material (e.g morality)

Question 6

What are the four types of suicide?

Answer 6

1. altruistic
2. anomic
3. fatalistic
4. egoistic

Question 7

Which type of suicide is based on too much integration?

Answer 7

altruistic

Question 8

Which type of suicide is based on too little integration?

Answer 8

egoistic

Question 9

Which type of suicide is based on too much regulation?

Answer 9

fatalistic

Question 10

Which type of suicide is based on not enough regulation?

Answer 10

anomic

Question 11

What are the key criticisms of Durkheim’s view on suicide?

Answer 11

• official statistics aren’t wholly reliable
• elimination of individual variables
• lack of awareness of the potential social construction of official statistics
• no measures of attempted suicides

Question 12

Outline Durkheim’s views put forward in Elementary forms of religious life (4)

Answer 12

• study of religious practices in Australian and North American tribal groups
• believed there was something social (rather than supernatural) about religious practice
• interested in the structural and organisational aspects of religion
• people believe that God is superior. Durkheim believes that it is actually society which is the superior being. God is only standing in for the social needs of the individuals

Question 13

According to Durkheim, what are all religions premised on?

Answer 13

The relationship between the sacred and the profound

Question 14

What is collective effervescence?

Answer 14

When a group of individuals come together to perform a religious ritual/participate in the same action. This can help influence processes of change.