Week 3: Durkheim: An Introduction

Question 1

Who was the founding father of sociology?

Answer 1

Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)

Question 2

What did Durkheim believe about crime?

Answer 2

believed crime actually had benefit in society, viewed crime as usual and that a society exempt from it is impossible, concerned about the macro level (city-wide) not the micro level (single person’s experience)

Question 3

What is the functionalist perspective on social stability?

Answer 3

shared values and norms in society help permit order and stability, there are social norms that apply to everyone but there are also different norms for different social positions (ex) student giving a presentation does not have to be an expert whereas a teacher may have to be)

Question 4

How have we as humans developed ways to share our understanding of norms in society?

Answer 4

we have developed institutions in society (religions, economic systems, families, etc.) that help us share our understandings and norms of how to be in society

Question 5

What do functionalists argue about crime and deviance?

Answer 5

that it can reinforce society’s values and norms, help to prevent anomie and create normalness, help facilitate positive social change

Question 6

What was Durkheim concerned about in regard to rapid social change?

Answer 6

he was concerned about the potential for rapid social change to bring about social disorder

Question 7

What is anomie?

Answer 7

concept from Durkheim, a social state in which people become disconnected from traditional shared norms and values, ex) war, pandemic, natural disaster

Question 8

What does the presence of anomie lead to?

Answer 8

feelings of isolation, disconnection, discontent, alienation, and uncertainty

Question 9

Why are shared norms and values important to social cohesion?

Answer 9

they provide standards of behavior which help to create predictability and stability