Quiz 3 - Durkheim Flashcards
Which social theories are present in Durkheim’s writing?
- Positivism
- Functionalism
Through observation/study, you can learn the “truth” about the external world.
Positivism
How does Durkheim relate to positivism?
He believed you could apply the scientific method to society.
Who is the founder of Sociology?
Comte
What are the 3 basic rules of the Sociological Method?
- Sociology is a distinct field of study.
- Sociology can use methods that natural scientists use (positivism).
- Social field is distinct from the psychological realm.
What does Sociology study?
Social Facts that exist outside of the individual.
Are social norms universal?
No, they are context-based.
What is a social phenomenon?
any human behaviour/action OR anytime a human define’s the existence of something.
What are the boundaries of Sociology?
We can’t study internal beliefs/thought until they are expressed externally.
What are Durkheim’s 2 criteria for studying Sociology?
- Requires objectivity.
2. Goal is to work within common, general groupings of phenomenon.
Biological model of society, where it is an organism whose institutions work together to maintain “goodness.”
Functionalism.
What is the philosophical root of Functionalism
Utilitarianism - strive for greatest good for greatest number of people.
How did Durkheim believe societal change occurred?
Slowly and gradually, through Evolution.
What does Durkheim focus on, in regards to modern Moral Authority?
Obligation
What are Durkheim’s three broad focuses?
- Social Stability
- Solidarity
- Evolution
What are the 3 major themes of Durkheim’s writing?
- Social Solidarity
- Moral Unity
- Promotion of sociology as a Social Science.
What are Durkheim’s 2 phases of the evolution of society.
- Organic solidarity.
2. Mechanical solidarity.
What are the main characteristics of Mechanical Solidarity? (3)
- Low DOL
- Homogeneous
- Obligation comes from “sameness”.
What is a result of low DOL in society?
High independence
What is a result of homogeneity in society?
Members of society have replaceable skills/roles.
Unifying force of shared values, external to and imposed on the individual.
Collective Conscience.
What is the dominant institution in Mechanical Solidarity?
Religion
What form of Law do Mechanical Solidarity societies have?
Penal Law
What is Penal Law? (5)
- Punishment of the body
- An eye for an eye.
- Crimes are against the whole community, not an individual.
- Black/white moral certainty.
- Universal application
Ability to take in information, know ourselves, be aware.
Consciousness
Example of when CC might differ from Ind. Consciousness
Killing in self defense
Symbol of a shared value/identity
Collective Representation
Something added to + above the real.
Sacred
Adding enthusiasm
Effervescence
Example of a sacred collective representation
Astrologers give extra meaning to the time of day you are born.
Something the average person does not ascribe special meaning to?
Profane.
Examples of immaterial Collective Representations (3)
- Motto
- Song
- Language
Why is Language a Collective representation? (3)
- Embedded in cultural history of society.
- Experience of social life gives categories of language for understanding.
- Filter of CC used to understand concepts.
What does Religion represent?
The moral/ideal world.
What are the characteristics of Organic Solidarity? (3)
- High DOL
- Heterogeneous
- Relationships relegated by Social Contracts.
What is the result of high DOL in society?
High codependence
What is the result of heterogeneity in society?
Everyone fulfills unique role, therefore they are harder to replace.
What is modern society’s form, as a result of a weak Collective Conscience?
Cult of the Individual
What type of law is used in Organic Solidarity?
Restitutive Law
What is Restitutive Law? (5)
- Used to defend specialized contract relations.
- Return of something to the state it was in before.
- Has “grey areas” in moral code.
- Subjective application.
- Civil law (crimes against individual, not the whole community).
What is a common punishment in Restitutive Law?
Monetary settlements
Society evolves according to which Law?
Law of Specialization - DOL increasingly becomes more complex.
Society evolves according to which Law?
Law of Specialization - DOL increasingly becomes more complex.
How does society act on individuals? (3)
- Influences
- Constrains.
- Coerces
What are the 4 types of suicide?
- Altruistic
- Anomic
- Fatalistic
- Egoistic
What is Altruistic suicide? (2)
- high integration
2. Collectivist
Examples of altruistic suicide?
- Cults
2. Suicide bomber
What is anomic suicide?
- Low regulation
2. Meaninglessness
Example of Anomic suicide
Market crash
What is fatalistic suicide?
- High regulation.
2. Hopelessness
Examples of fatalistic suicide.
- Romeo and juliet
- Inmates in prison.
- People in debt.
What is Egoistic suicide?
- Low integration.
2. individualistic
Examples of egoistic suicide
- Protestant (individualist religion)
- Kurt cobain
How did Durkheim typify suicide data?
By studying church records
How does Durkheim define suicide?
All cases of death resulting directly/indirectly from victim’s action, with them knowing death is the result.
Is suicide always solely for self desctruction?
No, sometimes this is the side effect of a different goal.
3 components of suicide
- Intention
- Indirect/direct/positive/negative action.
- Person knows consequences of action.
How does suicide relate to social facts
- Is a social fact.
2. is explained by other social facts.
How is suicide a social issue?
Differing suicide rates in different societies, showing it is more than an individual issue as it is based on a social pattern.
What are the social facts that explain suicide?
Morality: integration + regulation
A process of developing a society in which all the social groups share the socioeconomic + cultural life.
Integration
Normative or moral demands placed on an individual that come with membership of a group
Regulation
Why does Durkheim believe morality requires integration + regulation?
Human desire is unlimited and unchecked, needs passions to be constrained by external forces.
What are the abnormal forms of DOL?
- Anomic DOL
2. Forced DOL
What is Anomic DOL
Low regulation, people become unhinged due to social/economic disturbances when their lifestyles lose “meaning.”
What is Forced DOL?
Jobs ascribed based on who you know
