Emile Durkheim

Question 1

“A social fact is every way of being and acting, fixed or not, capable of ———- – ——– ———- – — ———-; in other words, it is that which is general in the whole society, ———– from individual manifestations.”

Answer 1

exercising an external constraint on the individual/ independent

Rules of Sociological Method: Emile Durkheim

Question 2

-Language
-Norms/Laws
-Religious beliefs
-Norms of dress
-Economic systems
-Social Roles

Answer 2

Examples of social facts:
Rules of Sociological Method: Emile Durkheim

Question 3

Distinction between normal and pathological social phenomena.

Answer 3

Rules of the Sociological Method: Emile Durkheim

Question 4

it is widespread, persistent, serves a
function within a society, adaptive, and contributes to social
cohesion.

Answer 4

Normal Social Phenomena: Emile Durkheim

Question 5

deviates from the norm, is less
common, and disrupts the functioning of society

Answer 5

Pathological Social Phenomena: Emile Durkheim

Question 6

exists in traditional societies
-People share similar beliefs and values–collective conscience
dominates.
-Individual personalities become subsumed by the collective life.
-Personal rights are less emphasized, and punishment is
repressive.

Answer 6

Mechanical Solidarity: Emile Durkheim

Question 7

exists in complex, modern societies.
-Based on difference rather than similarity.
-Individuals have unique, complex, and specialized roles and
functions within society.
-Individuals rely on one another to fulfill unique roles.
-Increased sense of individual personality develops.

Answer 7

Organic Solidarity: Emile Durkheim

Question 8

Emergence of organic solidarity…
-Increased population density brings about an array
of new needs, which leads to specialization.
-By specializing in different tasks, people can
avoid competing for the same resources.
-Individuals can move between roles and find a
role that suits their skills.
-Thus, the division of labor creates a harmonious
society.

Answer 8

Division of Labor Book 2 (Causes and Conditions of
Division of Labor): Emile Durkheim

Question 9

Anomic Division of Labor

Answer 9

Division of Labor, Book 3 (Pathologies of the
Division of Labor): Emile Durkheim

Question 10

What is anomie?

Answer 10

a state of normlessness: Emile Durkheim

Question 11

when individuals are compelled into work that
doesn’t meet their natural talents.

Answer 11

Forced division of labor: Emile Durkheim

Inequalities should reflect natural inequalities.

Question 12

—– —- can create disharmony.
-Thus, there should be some structure to assure that people do the
things that they are suited for.

Answer 12

Class Wars: Emile Durkheim

Question 13

According to Durkheim, what type of solidarity is most often found
in “primitive” societies where members are very similar and
homogenous?

Answer 13

Mechanical Solidarity: Emile Durkheim

Question 14

Durkheim aims to understand what social factors explain why
the ——- rate varies from one society to the next.
——- rates are the result of general characteristics of the
society that produced them.

Answer 14

suicide

Question 15

-Durkheim’s argues societies with high amounts of integration have fewer suicides.
-Compares Protestants (high suicide rate), Catholics (low), and Jews (low).
-High integration gives sense of community, meaning, and purpose.
-Protestants have more acceptance of free inquiry—whereas other faiths
have religion as a fundamental part of all their life.
-Catholics have religion as a powerful part of their life—tight bonds with
community.
-Jews have been persecuted throughout history, thus, have a strong sense of
community.
-This pattern is found in religious life, domestic life (marriage), and political life.

Answer 15

Egoistic suicide

Question 16

-Societies in which individuals are excessively integrated
(controlled) have higher suicide rates.
-Durkheim argues that individuals prioritize the interests of the
group over their individual well-being or life itself.

Answer 16

Altruistic Suicide

Question 17

-Whenever serious rearrangements take place in society, suicide
increases.
-Humans, unlike other animals, have unlimited desires.
-“Nobody can be happy or alive, really, unless their needs are
adjusted to their means.”
-“Our sensibility is a bottomless pit that nothing can fill.”
-Society regulates these desires to a reasonable amount.
-When people feel their social position is justified, they feel satiated.
-“Each person is in harmony with her condition and wants only what
she can legitimately wish for as the normal reward for her activity.
The balance of her happiness is stable because it is defined.”

Answer 17

Anomic Suicide

Question 18

Durkheim analyzed the simplest religion, focusing on the totemic system of Australian
aboriginal societies, to understand the essence of religious life.
1. Religious ideas are not individual, but collective representations that express shared social realities.

Answer 18

Elementary Forms of Religious Life

Question 19

2. ——– is a symbol
   representing our social
   bonds.
   -Mechanism to celebrate
   our relations with one
   another.

Answer 19

Totemism: Elementary Forms of Religious Life