Deck 3: Emile Durkheim

Question 1

The communal function of religion is carried out through the dual processes of ritualization and

A) routinization
B) symbolization
C) profanation
D) anomie

Answer 1

B

Question 2

According to the authors, Durkheim's basic theoretical orientation could be considered:

A) nonrational, individual
B) nonrational, collective
C) rational, individual
D) rational, collective

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Durkheim defined "religion" as:

A) the adoration of a God or Gods by an individual or a group
B) myths about the origins of the world, as practiced by an individual or a group
C) worship of a social group by individuals
D) an organization or institution developed to honor or praise a God or Gods

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Durkheim argues that in organic solidarity the basis of morality is found in our shared differences. He refers to this as

A) the forced division of labor
B) the cult of personality
C) egoism
D) collective effervescence

Question 5

In The Rules of Sociological Method, Durkheim makes the following points, except?

A) sociology is a distinct field of study
B) natural science methods can be applied to social science
C) the social field is distinct from the psychological realm
D) social science has a lot to learn about scientific methods

Question 6

According to Durkheim, "egoistic" suicide is caused by:

A) too much social regulation
B) too much social integration
C) the lack of integration of an individual into social group/s
D) social chaos or normlessness

Question 7

Which of the following is not considered a ritual?

A) standing for the National Anthem
B) an Egyptian ankh
C) Thanksgiving dinner
D) communion

Question 8

Durkheim describes the forced division of labor as

A) a primary aspect of small, tribal societies held together through organic solidarity
B) an over-specialization of tasks leading to the isolation of individuals and to the disintegration of society
C) an inherent feature of capitalism
D) a profane existence

Question 9

Durkheim's conviction that society is sui generis means:

A) society is an unreality; only individuals are real
B) society does not really exist; only a generic label is used
C) society is an objective reality that is irreducible to the individuals that compose it
D) society only exists within the confines of the mind

Question 10

Durkheim defines social facts as:

A) social phenomenon that is true and universally valid
B) rituals and symbols that provide for social solidarity within a community
C) the scientific knowledge base on which social and economic planning are formulated
D) conditions and circumstances external to the individual that, nevertheless, determine one's course of action

Question 11

The Kamikaze who flew to their deaths in WWII exemplify which type of suicide:

A) altruistic
B) egoistic
C) anomic
D) fatalistic

Question 12

Durkheim's core concept "division of labor" would be found in which of the following quadrants for action and order?

A) nonrational, individual
B) nonrational, collective
C) rational, individual
D) rational, collective

Question 13

In The Division of Labor in Society, Durkheim used the term "organic solidarity" to refer to:

A) solidarity based on workers' control over the means of production
B) solidarity based on interdependence
C) solidarity based on likeness
D) solidarity based on place

Question 14

This type of solidarity is characteristic of small, traditional societies.

A) organic solidarity
B) rural solidarity
C) cult solidarity
D) mechanical solidarity

Question 15

The social condition resulting from a lack of moral regulation is called

A) Anomie
B) Alienation
C) Egoism
D) Profane

Question 16

According to Durkheim, there will always be "crime" because:

A) there will always be individuals who cannot control themselves
B) human beings are inherently evil
C) crime is necessary for affirming "right" and "wrong"
D) crime comes second-nature to humans

Question 17

According to Durkheim's work in Suicide, which of the following groups had the highest rate of suicide?

A) Jews
B) Protestants
C) Catholics
D) Lutherans

Question 18

Durkheim defines the collective conscience as

A) the system of rituals and symbols that distinguish all that is sacred in a society
B) an essential element in mechanical solidarity which allows the society's member to engage in common, shared practices
C) totality of beliefs and sentiments common to average citizens of the same society
D) the realization that society is the source of spiritual power

Question 19

Which one of the following is not true of Durkheim's work Suicide?

A) it demonstrated individual pathologies are rooted in social conditions
B) it showed an increase in social integration within modern societies
C) proved sociologists can scientifically study social behavior
D) showed suicide to have social rather than individual roots

Question 20

Durkheim was most influenced by Herbert Spencer's theory on:

A) the division of religion
B) the origins of suicide
C) the evolution of societies
D) the rules of sociological method

Question 21

People living within small traditional societies tend to feel a "oneness" or collective conscience.

Question 22

The cult of personality is what begins to destroy modern societies according to Durkheim.

Question 23

Durkheim disagreed with Marx by arguing economic specialization was not necessarily "bad" for either the individual or society as a whole.

Question 24

Durkheim drew upon religious affiliation for comparative purposes in his classic study of suicide.

Question 25

Durkheim argued society was a supraindividual force which exists independently of the actors who compose it.

Question 26

Which of the following would be considered a communal ritual act?

A) reading a book in the library
B) checking your bank statement online
C) doing "the wave" at a sporting event
D) meditating alone

Question 27

An object can be intrinsically sacred or profane.

Question 28

In "Preliminary Questions" in The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, Durkheim shows that religion and magic are the same because both form lasting bonds between practitioner and follower.

Question 29

When an individual gives her life for a social group, we call it egoistic suicide.

Question 30

Which of the following statements regarding Durkheim's concepts of sacred and profane is true?

A) objects can be intrinsically sacred
B) profane refers to something "above and beyond" the everyday
C) the same act can be either sacred or profane based upon context
D) life is an ordered experience except for times of sacred and profane

Question 31

According to Durkheim, crime will always be present within societies except for a hypothetical "society of saints."

Question 32

Durkheim defines _________ as obedience based on an energy that conquers our will without regard for consequences

A) the sacred and profane
B) traditional authority
C) social facts
D) moral authority

Question 33

Organic solidarity automatically emerges once a society has evolved to "modern" status according to Durkheim.

Question 34

Durkheim embraced Comte's "Law of Three Stages" when developing his concept of society and solidarity.

Question 35

Durkheim called a symbol that is not emotionally charged:

A) sacred
B) profane
C) ritualistic
D) anomic

Question 36

Anomie is the sole source of suicide in modern societies.

Question 37

Symbols are practices that unite a social group based on a common experience and focus.

Question 38

For Durkheim, the division between the sacred and profane establishes

A) the fundamental conceptual division on which all knowledge is based
B) the group experience of collective effervescence
C) the basis for type of social solidarity
D) all of the above

Question 39

For Durkheim, as long as there are societies, there will be religion.

Question 40

For Durkheim, society without crime is possible but we have yet to achieve the required religiosity.

Question 41

Durkheim argues that the world is divided into two distinct spheres: the sacred and the profane. Provide an outline of these spheres as they apply to contemporary life.

Question 42

In detail, explain what concept the following quote introduces within The Rules of Sociological Method: "thus, since there cannot be a society in which the individuals do not differ more or less from the collective type…"

Question 43

Explain Durkheim's term "social facts" using specifically his discussion of crime from The Rules of Sociological Method. Be sure to specify how "coercive power" plays into this discussion.

Question 44

Compare and contrast Durkheim's basic theoretical orientation to that of Karl Marx. Specifically discuss Durkheim's concept of anomie and Marx's definition for alienation.

Question 45

Explain in detail the connection between social life and religion as outlined by Durkheim. Be sure to include and define key terms introduced within The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. Also, attempt to connect contemporary religious practices to Durkheim's framework.

Question 46

According to Durkheim what does egotistic suicide result from? Explain what groups Durkheim studied and what he found.

Question 47

What role do symbols and rituals play in maintaining social solidarity? Be descriptive by providing examples from the reading. Your response may include contemporary life examples.

Question 48

Discuss how Herbert Spencer and Auguste Comte influenced Durkheim's work.

Question 49

Briefly define Durkheim's core concepts as specified by the authors.

Question 50

Outline the two forms of solidarity discussed by Durkheim. Explain how each type of solidarity affect and reflect on society. Consider the types of societies in your response.

Question 51

What social processes create the social and the profane, according to Durkheim? Consider how such processes are moral, and thus religious or spiritual in nature.

Question 52

Compare Durkheim's discussion of the division of labor with that of Marx. Discuss how mechanical and organic solidarity are connected to this concept. Also, explain any errors or assumptions you feel (if any) Durkheim makes in his conception of division of labor.

Question 53

What is the relationship between the forms of solidarity and the division of labor? On what is each type of solidarity based?

Question 54

Discuss the various forms of suicide defined by Durkheim. Explain why Durkheim's work Suicide is significant for the discipline of sociology.