Durkheim Flashcards
(23 cards)
Term
Definition
Émile Durkheim
French sociologist who, in his 1893 work The Division of Labor in Society, analyzes how social cohesion evolves as societies become more complex, introducing concepts like mechanical and organic solidarity.
Division of Labor
The specialization of work tasks in a society. Durkheim views it as a moral and social phenomenon that fosters interdependence and social cohesion in complex societies.
Mechanical Solidarity
A form of social cohesion in traditional societies where individuals share similar tasks, values, and beliefs, leading to a strong collective conscience.
Organic Solidarity
A form of social cohesion in modern societies arising from the interdependence of individuals performing specialized tasks, resulting in a weaker collective conscience but stronger social bonds through mutual reliance.
Collective Conscience
The set of shared beliefs and moral attitudes that operate as a unifying force within society. Strong in mechanical solidarity; more diffuse in organic solidarity.
Anomie
A state of normlessness or moral deregulation occurring when the division of labor is poorly regulated, leading to social instability and personal disorientation.
Social Facts
Aspects of social life that shape individual actions, such as norms, values, and structures, which Durkheim argues should be studied empirically.
Dynamic Density
The combination of population growth and increased social interaction, which Durkheim posits leads to a more complex division of labor and the transition from mechanical to organic solidarity.
Repressive Law
Legal systems in traditional societies that enforce conformity through punitive measures, reflecting the strong collective conscience of mechanical solidarity.
Restitutive Law
Legal systems in modern societies that focus on restoring social equilibrium through restitution, characteristic of organic solidarity.
Functionalism
Durkheim’s theoretical approach that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.
Pathological Forms of Division of Labor
Abnormal developments in the division of labor, such as anomie or forced specialization, that disrupt social cohesion.
Normal Division of Labor
A well-regulated specialization of tasks that enhances social solidarity and individual fulfillment.
Forced Division of Labor
A situation where individuals are assigned roles not based on merit or ability, leading to social injustice and weakened solidarity.
Contractual Solidarity
Social bonds in modern societies formed through mutual agreements and contracts, reflecting the interdependence of specialized roles.
Occupational Groups (Corporations)
Professional associations that Durkheim suggests can regulate the division of labor and maintain social cohesion by instilling a sense of moral obligation among members.
Moral Individualism
The concept that individual rights and autonomy are upheld as moral imperatives in modern societies, emerging from the collective conscience.
Sociology as a Science
Durkheim’s assertion that sociology should study social facts objectively, using empirical methods to understand social phenomena.
Social Integration
The process by which individuals are incorporated into the social structure, which the division of labor facilitates through interdependence.
Historical Evolution of Solidarity
Durkheim’s theory that societies evolve from mechanical to organic solidarity as they become more complex and the division of labor increases.
Professional Ethics
The moral codes governing professional conduct, which Durkheim believes are essential for regulating the division of labor and maintaining social order.
Durkheim vs. Marx
A comparison where Durkheim views the division of labor as a source of social cohesion, while Marx sees it as a source of class conflict and alienation.
