Durkheim defined __ as phenomena apart from individual characteristics.
a. class consciousness
b. dysfunctions
c. collective conscience
d. social facts
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is d. social facts.
Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist, introduced the concept of “social facts” as a fundamental idea in his study of society. Social facts refer to aspects of social life that are external to, and exert control over, the individual. These include societal norms, laws, customs, and institutions that shape and guide individual behavior. According to Durkheim, these social facts are phenomena that exist independently of individual characteristics and actions.
Durkheim emphasized that social facts must be studied as things in their own right. They are not reducible to individual actions or psychological states. Instead, social facts have a reality that exists outside of individuals and impose constraints on them. For example, the legal system, educational institutions, or the norms around family structure are all considered social facts because they influence individual behavior in ways that transcend personal preferences or desires.
Durkheim’s work was critical in establishing sociology as a distinct academic discipline. He argued that, just like the natural sciences study physical phenomena, sociology should focus on understanding social facts, which are the collective elements of society that shape social life. In contrast to individualistic explanations of behavior, social facts offer a collective understanding of how society functions and how individual actions are shaped by broader societal forces.
In summary, Durkheim’s concept of social facts highlights the importance of looking beyond individual characteristics to understand the forces that structure social life and shape behavior. These social facts have a reality of their own and exist independently of individual consciousness.