Émile Durkheim — Short Notes & 50 MCQs (Social Fact, Division of Labour, Suicide, Religion)
Quick notes — point to point
1. Social Fact
- Definition: Social facts are manners of acting, thinking and feeling that are external to the individual and endowed with coercive power (they constrain individual behaviour). :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Examples: norms, laws, values, language, institutions, collective rituals.
- Method: Treat social facts as "things" — observe, compare, and measure them objectively. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Importance: Central concept that makes sociology autonomous from psychology and philosophy.
2. Division of Labour
- Main idea: Division of labour is both an economic fact and a moral/social fact that affects social solidarity. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Mechanical solidarity: Found in simpler societies — cohesion from similarity of members; collective conscience is strong.
- Organic solidarity: Found in advanced societies — cohesion from interdependence and specialized functions; individual differences tolerated by contractual obligations and institutions.
- Anomie link: Rapid social change or an excessive specialization can produce normlessness (anomie) and social instability. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
3. Suicide (Le Suicide, 1897)
- Approach: Treated suicide as a social phenomenon with social causes — used statistical comparison between groups. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- Types of suicide:
- Egoistic: from low social integration (isolation).
- Altruistic: from excessive integration (self-sacrifice for group).
- Anomic: from low regulation — sudden breakdown of norms (during crisis, economic collapse).
- Fatalistic: from excessive regulation (extreme oppression) — less focused in Durkheim's main analysis.
- Finding: Suicide rates vary systematically with social integration and regulation; individual psychology alone is insufficient explanation. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
4. Religion (The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, 1912)
- Core thesis: Religion is a social institution that expresses and reinforces collective consciousness. Sacred/profane distinction is key. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- Functions: Promotes social solidarity through shared rituals, symbols, and collective effervescence.
- Method: Study the simplest/religion forms (e.g., Australian totemism) to reveal universal social functions of religion. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
5. Method & Legacy
- Empirical, comparative, and statistical methods; treat social phenomena as "social things". :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
- Durkheim laid foundations for functionalism, social ontology and the scientific study of society.
Key sources: Britannica; Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Durkheim entry); Stanford Encyclopedia (solidarity); University of Chicago Durkheim archive. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
50 Multiple Choice Questions (Durkheim) — Practice with Answers
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Q1. Durkheim defined social facts as:
- A. Psychological impulses B. Individual desires C. Ways of acting, thinking and feeling external to the individual D. Biological instincts
Answer
Answer: C. Ways of acting, thinking and feeling external to the individual. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
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Q2. Durkheim's method required that social facts be treated as:
- A. Supernatural entities B. Literary metaphors C. Things (objects of study) D. Private thoughts
Answer
Answer: C. Things (objects of study). :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
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Q3. The division of labour leads to which form of solidarity in modern societies?
- A. Mechanical B. Organic C. Mystical D. Tribal
Answer
Answer: B. Organic. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
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Q4. Which Durkheim book focuses on suicide as a social fact?
- A. The Division of Labour in Society B. The Elementary Forms of Religious Life C. Suicide D. Rules of Sociological Method
Answer
Answer: C. Suicide. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
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Q5. Egoistic suicide is caused by:
- A. Excessive social regulation B. Excessive social integration C. Low social integration D. Economic crisis only
Answer
Answer: C. Low social integration. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
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Q6. Which term did Durkheim use for normlessness?
- A. Anomie B. Alienation C. Solidarity D. Ritual
Answer
Answer: A. Anomie. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
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Q7. Altruistic suicide results from:
- A. Excessive integration B. Low regulation C. Economic depression D. Personal disease
Answer
Answer: A. Excessive integration. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
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Q8. Durkheim believed religion primarily:
- A. Is private belief only B. Reinforces collective conscience and solidarity C. Is an individual pathology D. Is unrelated to society
Answer
Answer: B. Reinforces collective conscience and solidarity. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
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Q9. For Durkheim the sacred–profane distinction is:
- A. Secondary B. Central to religion C. Only economic D. A psychiatric concept
Answer
Answer: B. Central to religion. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
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Q10. Mechanical solidarity is based on:
- A. Specialization B. Similarity and shared beliefs C. Market exchange D. Legal contracts
Answer
Answer: B. Similarity and shared beliefs. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
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Q11. Durkheim's Rules of Sociological Method emphasizes:
- A. Theological arguments B. Treating social facts as things C. Pure introspection D. Art criticism
Answer
Answer: B. Treating social facts as things. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
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Q12. Anomic suicide is most likely during:
- A. High social integration B. Sudden social or economic change C. War only D. Death of a leader
Answer
Answer: B. Sudden social or economic change. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
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Q13. Durkheim used which method to study religion?
- A. Study of the most complex religions B. Study of the simplest (primitive) forms C. Only literary texts D. Astrology
Answer
Answer: B. Study of the simplest (primitive) forms. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
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Q14. Organic solidarity becomes strong when:
- A. Everyone does the same work B. There is interdependence through specialization C. Collective rituals dominate D. There is no division of labour
Answer
Answer: B. There is interdependence through specialization. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
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Q15. Durkheim's work contributed most to which sociological perspective?
- A. Conflict theory B. Symbolic interactionism C. Functionalism D. Postmodernism
Answer
Answer: C. Functionalism. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
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Q16. Fatalistic suicide is caused by:
- A. Excessive regulation B. Low integration C. Lack of rituals D. Market fluctuations
Answer
Answer: A. Excessive regulation.
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Q17. Durkheim saw sociology as the study of:
- A. Individual consciousness only B. Social facts and collective life C. Meteorology D. Animal behavior
Answer
Answer: B. Social facts and collective life. :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
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Q18. Collective effervescence refers to:
- A. Chemical reactions in society B. The energy and unity experienced in group rituals C. Economic growth D. Legal decisions
Answer
Answer: B. The energy and unity experienced in group rituals. :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
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Q19. Durkheim argued that social facts:
- A. Are reducible to individual psychology B. Have an existence independent of individuals C. Are irrelevant to society D. Are the same as biological instincts
Answer
Answer: B. Have an existence independent of individuals. :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}
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Q20. The Division of Labour in Society (1893) is mainly about:
- A. Economic exchange alone B. Social solidarity and effects of specialization C. Religious rituals D. Suicide rates
Answer
Answer: B. Social solidarity and effects of specialization. :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}
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Q21. Durkheim believed that sociology must be:
- A. Speculative B. Empirical and scientific C. Religious D. Pure literary criticism
Answer
Answer: B. Empirical and scientific. :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}
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Q22. Which is NOT a type of suicide in Durkheim’s typology?
- A. Egoistic B. Anomic C. Ritualistic D. Altruistic
Answer
Answer: C. Ritualistic.
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Q23. Durkheim studied suicide using:
- A. Only philosophical reasoning B. Statistical comparison of social groups C. Fictional stories D. Astrology
Answer
Answer: B. Statistical comparison of social groups. :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}
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Q24. Totemism was used by Durkheim to study:
- A. Complex modern religion B. The simplest form of religion and collective symbols C. Only economic rituals D. Art history
Answer
Answer: B. The simplest form of religion and collective symbols. :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}
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Q25. Durkheim’s concept of collective conscience refers to:
- A. Individual psychology B. Shared beliefs and moral attitudes of a society C. Biological instincts D. Economic markets
Answer
Answer: B. Shared beliefs and moral attitudes of a society. :contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}
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Q26. Durkheim argued that the study of religion reveals:
- A. Only myths B. The social functions of collective life C. Irrelevant folklore D. Economic laws
Answer
Answer: B. The social functions of collective life. :contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}
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Q27. Durkheim suggested that a society with weak regulation may produce:
- A. Organic solidarity B. Anomie and anomic suicide C. Collective rituals D. Mechanical solidarity
Answer
Answer: B. Anomie and anomic suicide. :contentReference[oaicite:36]{index=36}
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Q28. Durkheim’s sociological approach is best described as:
- A. Methodological individualism B. Social holism (emphasis on social facts) C. Purely normative D. Anti-empirical
Answer
Answer: B. Social holism (emphasis on social facts). :contentReference[oaicite:37]{index=37}
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Q29. Which of these is a function of religious rituals according to Durkheim?
- A. Promote social fragmentation B. Reinforce group solidarity C. Remove moral constraints D. Isolate individuals
Answer
Answer: B. Reinforce group solidarity. :contentReference[oaicite:38]{index=38}
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Q30. Durkheim criticized explanations of social phenomena that reduce them to:
- A. Social contexts B. Individual psychologies only C. Historical forces D. Economic systems
Answer
Answer: B. Individual psychologies only. :contentReference[oaicite:39]{index=39}
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Q31. Durkheim’s concept of anomie is most associated with:
- A. Excessive social control B. The breakdown of norms C. Increased ritual activity D. Strong family ties
Answer
Answer: B. The breakdown of norms. :contentReference[oaicite:40]{index=40}
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Q32. Durkheim believed that social integration is:
- A. Irrelevant to suicide B. Crucial to understanding suicide rates C. A biological concept D. Only economic
Answer
Answer: B. Crucial to understanding suicide rates. :contentReference[oaicite:41]{index=41}
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Q33. Durkheim’s sociological approach influenced:
- A. Postmodernism B. Functionalism and social theory C. Alchemy D. None of the above
Answer
Answer: B. Functionalism and social theory. :contentReference[oaicite:42]{index=42}
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Q34. In The Division of Labour, Durkheim linked specialization to:
- A. Greater social isolation only B. New forms of solidarity based on interdependence C. Elimination of norms D. Decline of society
Answer
Answer: B. New forms of solidarity based on interdependence. :contentReference[oaicite:43]{index=43}
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Q35. Collective conscience weakens when:
- A. Societies become more homogeneous B. Individual specialization increases C. Rituals increase D. Laws become stricter
Answer
Answer: B. Individual specialization increases. :contentReference[oaicite:44]{index=44}
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Q36. Durkheim regarded sociology as:
- A. A branch of biology B. A scientific study of social facts C. A theological discipline D. Pure literature
Answer
Answer: B. A scientific study of social facts. :contentReference[oaicite:45]{index=45}
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Q37. Which of these best summarizes Durkheim's research style?
- A. Anecdotal B. Comparative and statistical C. Purely speculative D. Literary only
Answer
Answer: B. Comparative and statistical. :contentReference[oaicite:46]{index=46}
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Q38. According to Durkheim, to understand social facts we must:
- A. Reduce them to biology B. Compare different societies and social groups C. Focus only on individuals D. Use astrology
Answer
Answer: B. Compare different societies and social groups. :contentReference[oaicite:47]{index=47}
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Q39. Which book contains Durkheim’s study of primitive religion?
- A. Suicide B. The Elementary Forms of Religious Life C. The Rules of Sociological Method D. None
Answer
Answer: B. The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. :contentReference[oaicite:48]{index=48}
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Q40. Durkheim’s idea of social facts most closely aligns with:
- A. Individualism B. Social holism C. Biological determinism D. Poststructuralism
Answer
Answer: B. Social holism. :contentReference[oaicite:49]{index=49}
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Q41. Which social condition did Durkheim link to higher suicide rates?
- A. Strong family integration B. Low integration (isolation) C. High ritual participation D. Stable moral regulation
Answer
Answer: B. Low integration (isolation). :contentReference[oaicite:50]{index=50}
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Q42. Durkheim’s influence is strongest on which subsequent sociologist?
- A. George Herbert Mead B. Talcott Parsons (functionalism) C. Michel Foucault D. Karl Marx
Answer
Answer: B. Talcott Parsons (functionalism) — Durkheim influenced functionalist traditions. :contentReference[oaicite:51]{index=51}
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Q43. Durkheim’s approach to religion suggests religion:
- A. Is anti-social B. Expresses and reinforces social solidarity C. Is purely private D. Is irrelevant
Answer
Answer: B. Expresses and reinforces social solidarity. :contentReference[oaicite:52]{index=52}
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Q44. Durkheim’s use of statistics in Suicide demonstrates:
- A. Sociology cannot use numbers B. Quantitative methods can reveal social patterns C. Only qualitative matter D. Statistics are irrelevant
Answer
Answer: B. Quantitative methods can reveal social patterns. :contentReference[oaicite:53]{index=53}
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Q45. According to Durkheim, the study of social facts helps to:
- A. Explain individual moods only B. Discover social laws and patterns C. Make spiritual claims D. Replace history
Answer
Answer: B. Discover social laws and patterns. :contentReference[oaicite:54]{index=54}
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Q46. Which of the following is NOT a function of religion for Durkheim?
- A. Reinforce shared values B. Create social cohesion C. Destroy moral order D. Symbolize collective life
Answer
Answer: C. Destroy moral order. :contentReference[oaicite:55]{index=55}
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Q47. Durkheim believed that moral education should:
- A. Strengthen collective conscience B. Be abolished C. Be replaced by markets D. Focus only on individuals
Answer
Answer: A. Strengthen collective conscience. :contentReference[oaicite:56]{index=56}
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Q48. According to Durkheim, modern societies are held together mainly by:
- A. Religious uniformity B. Interdependence of specialized roles C. Tribal ties D. Blood relations
Answer
Answer: B. Interdependence of specialized roles. :contentReference[oaicite:57]{index=57}
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Q49. Durkheim’s study of suicide argues that:
- A. Suicide is purely individual and random B. Social conditions significantly shape suicide rates C. Suicide is only a moral problem D. Religion causes suicide
Answer
Answer: B. Social conditions significantly shape suicide rates. :contentReference[oaicite:58]{index=58}
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Q50. Durkheim’s sociological legacy includes:
- A. Establishing the study of social facts and using scientific methods in sociology B. Rejecting empirical research C. Founding psychoanalysis D. Inventing market economics
Answer
Answer: A. Establishing the study of social facts and using scientific methods in sociology. :contentReference[oaicite:59]{index=59}
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