Emile Durkheim

Question 1

mechanical solidarity

Answer 1

• mechanical is the social integration of members of a society who have common values and beliefs
• the forces causing members of society to cooperate were like the energies causing molecules to become a solid
• durkheim looked at the terminology of physical science to coin the term mechanical solidarity
• it can be described as having a feeling of likeness towards one another and everyone doing similar things

Question 2

organic solidarity

Answer 2

• organic is social integration that arises out of the need of individuals for one another’s services
• there is greater division of labour with individuals functioning like the interdependent
• society relies less on uniform rules and more on regulating relations between different groups, often through the greater use of contracts/laws

Question 3

division of labour

Answer 3

• the division of labour is based on capitalism and the class structure
• everyone tends to take part in activities to get the job done
• there’s a greater sense of individuality and diversity, individuals are all codependent on others skills

Question 4

le suicide

Answer 4

• durkheim explored the different suicide rates among Protestants and Catholics
• he found that suicide rates were higher among men, single people without children, soldiers and at times of peace
• anomic suicide happens when disintegrating forces in society make individuals feel lost or alone (teenage suicide)
• altruistic suicide happens when there is excessive regulation of individuals by social forces (9/11 attack)
• egoistic suicide happens when people feel totally detached from society

Question 5

crime and social class

Answer 5

• he saw crime as normal
• deviance from the norms of society is necessary if society is to remain flexible
• crime brings together upright consciences and concentrates them

Question 6

anomie

Answer 6

• refers to a breakdown of social norms where they no longer control activities of members in society
• individuals cannot find their place in society without clear rules to help guide them

Question 7

criticisms

Answer 7

• is there really a structure in society?
• difficult to determine the effects of institutions
• there is a high amount of exaggeration as to how well society works together
• it is known as being deterministic and that arguing that people don’t have free will rather people act in accordance to institutions and it ignores conflict and punishments in society