Social facts shape people's perceptions and behaviors. They are, however, exterior to any given individual. This means that social facts:

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CSocial facts, as defined by sociologist Émile Durkheim, are ways of acting, thinking, and feeling that exist outside of any one individual but exert control over each person. They are not micro-level phenomena because they exist at the macro level, influencing society as a whole. While they are not the product of a single person's actions, they are indeed created and modified by people collectively over time. Thus, they can be altered. Social facts certainly penetrate people's minds, shaping perceptions and behaviors.

Social Facts Shape People's Perceptions and Behaviors