LO7: Explain the Key Concepts in Durkheim’s Work
Social Facts:
Durkheim proposed that sociology should study social facts, which
are social structures and cultural norms that are external to and
coercive of individuals. He argued these should be treated as
"things" and studied empirically through observation rather than
intuition. Social facts are sui generis (unique), meaning they have
their own reality and cannot be reduced to individual psychology;
they must be explained by other social facts.
Material and Nonmaterial Social Facts:
Material social facts (e.g., architecture, laws, technology) are
directly observable. Nonmaterial social facts (e.g., norms, values,
culture) are the "heart" of his sociology; though they exist in the
minds of individuals, they emerge from complex interactions that
obey their own laws.
, Solidarity (Mechanical vs. Organic):
o Mechanical Solidarity:
Found in "primitive" societies where people are generalists;
the bond is based on similarity and a strong, rigid collective
conscience.
o Organic Solidarity:
Found in modern societies; held together by the division of
labour and the resulting interdependence of specialists. The
collective conscience is weaker, allowing for more
individuality.
Dynamic Density:
This is the cause of the transition from mechanical to organic
solidarity, referring to the number of people in a society and the
amount of interaction among them.
Anomie:
A social condition characterized by a lack of moral regulation, often
occurring during economic crises or rapid social change when old
norms no longer apply.
The Sacred and the Profane:
Social Facts:
Durkheim proposed that sociology should study social facts, which
are social structures and cultural norms that are external to and
coercive of individuals. He argued these should be treated as
"things" and studied empirically through observation rather than
intuition. Social facts are sui generis (unique), meaning they have
their own reality and cannot be reduced to individual psychology;
they must be explained by other social facts.
Material and Nonmaterial Social Facts:
Material social facts (e.g., architecture, laws, technology) are
directly observable. Nonmaterial social facts (e.g., norms, values,
culture) are the "heart" of his sociology; though they exist in the
minds of individuals, they emerge from complex interactions that
obey their own laws.
, Solidarity (Mechanical vs. Organic):
o Mechanical Solidarity:
Found in "primitive" societies where people are generalists;
the bond is based on similarity and a strong, rigid collective
conscience.
o Organic Solidarity:
Found in modern societies; held together by the division of
labour and the resulting interdependence of specialists. The
collective conscience is weaker, allowing for more
individuality.
Dynamic Density:
This is the cause of the transition from mechanical to organic
solidarity, referring to the number of people in a society and the
amount of interaction among them.
Anomie:
A social condition characterized by a lack of moral regulation, often
occurring during economic crises or rapid social change when old
norms no longer apply.
The Sacred and the Profane:
