STPGT-Sociology_Émile Durkheim: Social Fact

Model MCQ's Émile Durkheim

Émile Durkheim: Social Fact

1. How does Emile Durkheim define "social facts"?

(A) Physical objects in society

(B) Ways of acting, thinking, and feeling external to the individual and endowed with a power of coercion

(C) Individual mental states

(D) Biological instincts

(B) Ways of acting, thinking, and feeling external to the individual and endowed with a power of coercion

Explanation: Social facts are collective phenomena external to individuals and exert coercive power over them.

2. Which of the following is a key characteristic of social facts according to Durkheim?

(A) Subjectivity

(B) Externality and coercion

(C) Randomness

(D) Individual choice

(B) Externality and coercion

Explanation: Social facts are external to individuals and can exert constraint or coercion.

3. Durkheim argues social facts should be treated as:

(A) Ideas without reality

(B) Things, that is, objective phenomena to be studied empirically

(C) Purely psychological phenomena

(D) Political opinions

(B) Things, that is, objective phenomena to be studied empirically

Explanation: The sociologist must treat social facts as realities independent of personal perceptions.

4. An example of a social fact is:

(A) A person's mood

(B) A legal code or moral norm

(C) A biological reflex

(D) A private belief

(B) A legal code or moral norm

Explanation: Legal rules and moral norms exist independently of individual consent and structure social life.

5. Social facts differ from individual facts because they:

(A) Are generated by individual minds

(B) Exist independently of individuals and persist over time

(C) Are purely subjective

(D) Change instantly with individual decisions

(B) Exist independently of individuals and persist over time

Explanation: Social facts have a reality independent of any one individual’s will.

6. According to Durkheim, the coercive power of social facts is evident in:

(A) Their ability to be ignored without consequence

(B) Their influence on individual behaviour through social sanctions

(C) Their complete invisibility

(D) Their personal nature

(B) Their influence on individual behaviour through social sanctions

Explanation: Social facts influence individuals because non-compliance entails social consequences.

7. One way to identify a social fact is by its:

(A) Generality in a society

(B) Isolation to one individual

(C) Unpredictability

(D) Biological origin

(A) Generality in a society

Explanation: Social facts are general patterns or norms spread across society, not isolated events.

8. Social facts can include:

(A) Customs, laws, morals, religious beliefs

(B) Only written laws

(C) Only economic behaviour

(D) Only individual attitudes

(A) Customs, laws, morals, religious beliefs

Explanation: A broad range of collective social phenomena constitutes social facts.

9. Durkheim’s methodological rule for observing social facts is to:

(A) Rely on individual subjective experience

(B) Examine social facts externally using objective criteria like statistics and laws

(C) Use introspection

(D) Ignore external constraints

(B) Examine social facts externally using objective criteria like statistics and laws

Explanation: The observation of social facts requires an objective empirical approach.

10. Durkheim suggests sociologists must distinguish between the:

(A) Normal and pathological social facts

(B) Legal and illegal social facts only

(C) Political and economic social facts

(D) Psychological and physical facts

(A) Normal and pathological social facts

Explanation: A key sociological task is identifying what social facts are commonly normal or pathological for a society.

11. Social facts exert constraint by:

(A) Existing as moral commands and social rules

(B) Being optional guidelines

(C) Being personal preferences

(D) Having no real influence

(A) Existing as moral commands and social rules

Explanation: Such facts constrain individuals by prescribing or proscribing behaviour.

12. In The Rules of Sociological Method, Durkheim emphasizes the importance of:

(A) Treating social facts as subjective interpretations

(B) Using empirical, objective methods to study society

(C) Ignoring legal norms

(D) Focusing on individual psychology

(B) Using empirical, objective methods to study society

Explanation: Durkheim champions a positivist, scientific approach to sociology.

13. The "externality" of social facts refers to:

(A) Their existence outside the individual's consciousness and will

(B) Their biological basis

(C) Their private mental nature

(D) Their absence in society

(A) Their existence outside the individual's consciousness and will

Explanation: Social facts persist outside and independent of individual beliefs.

14. Social facts have a "generality" which means:

(A) They affect individuals unpredictably

(B) They are widespread throughout a society or group

(C) They occur only once

(D) They are purely private

(B) They are widespread throughout a society or group

Explanation: Social facts are common and characteristic of a social collective.

15. Examples of social facts could include all except:

(A) Popular sayings

(B) Legal sanctions

(C) Individual thoughts

(D) Moral rules

(C) Individual thoughts

Explanation: Individual thoughts do not qualify as social facts due to their private nature.

16. Durkheim’s concept of coercion relates to social facts as:

(A) The power to compel conformity through social pressure or sanctions

(B) Biological instincts

(C) Individual preferences

(D) Voluntary actions

(A) The power to compel conformity through social pressure or sanctions

Explanation: Social facts compel behaviour through societal expectations and punishments.

17. According to Durkheim, social facts are:

(A) Cause and effect of sociological phenomena

(B) Psychological constructs only

(C) Metaphysical ideas

(D) Non-existent

(A) Cause and effect of sociological phenomena

Explanation: Social facts both shape and are shaped by society’s functioning.

18. One of the main aims of sociology per Durkheim is to:

(A) Study social facts as things to uncover causal laws

(B) Focus on individual psychology

(C) Avoid empirical research

(D) Reject scientific methods

(A) Study social facts as things to uncover causal laws

Explanation: Sociology should identify and explain social facts using scientific investigation.

19. How should sociologists view common norms and customs?

(A) As subjective biases

(B) As enduring social facts exerting coercion

(C) As irrelevant opinions

(D) As natural biological urges

(B) As enduring social facts exerting coercion

Explanation: Norms and customs are collective practices that constrain individual behaviour.

20. Durkheim’s study of social facts emphasizes:

(A) The autonomy of the social from the individual

(B) Individual will as the source of social order

(C) Random social interactions

(D) Mere coincidence of social phenomena

(A) The autonomy of the social from the individual

Explanation: Social facts exist independently of individual consciousness and actions.

21. Which of the following can be classified as a material social fact according to Durkheim?

(A) Laws and customs

(B) Individual thoughts

(C) Personal emotions

(D) Genetic traits

(A) Laws and customs

Explanation: Material social facts are tangible elements like laws, customs, and institutions that shape societal life.

22. Non-material social facts refer to:

(A) Biological features

(B) Abstract aspects such as collective conscience, norms, and social currents

(C) Concrete buildings

(D) Physical landscape

(B) Abstract aspects such as collective conscience, norms, and social currents

Explanation: Non-material social facts are intangible social elements influencing behaviours and collective ideas.

23. Durkheim’s social facts are:

(A) Dependent on individual consciousness

(B) External to the individual and coercive in nature

(C) Based only on personal choices

(D) Intangible and non-existent

(B) External to the individual and coercive in nature

Explanation: Social facts have external coercive power that constrains individual behaviour.

24. Which example best illustrates a social fact?

(A) The language spoken by a community

(B) An individual’s opinion on politics

(C) A single person’s religious belief

(D) Personal preferences in music

(A) The language spoken by a community

Explanation: Language is a collective social fact influencing members of society.

25. Durkheim believed social facts are:

(A) Mutable and chaotic

(B) Stable conditions that exist outside individuals and influence social behaviour

(C) Dependent on a single individual’s will

(D) Only moral rules

(B) Stable conditions that exist outside individuals and influence social behaviour

Explanation: Social facts constrain behaviour and exist independently of individuals.

26. According to Durkheim, how should sociologists study a social fact?

(A) By interpreting individual motives

(B) By treating it objectively, as a 'thing' with external effects on individuals

(C) By asking individuals about their opinions

(D) By focusing on genetics

(B) By treating it objectively, as a 'thing' with external effects on individuals

Explanation: Sociologists must observe social facts empirically, independent of individual subjective perceptions.

27. What kind of power do social facts exert over individuals?

(A) No power

(B) Coercive power, pressuring conformity

(C) Random influence

(D) Biological control

(B) Coercive power, pressuring conformity

Explanation: Social facts compel behaviours via social pressure, sanctions, or norms.

28. Which of the following best reflects the "externality" of social facts?

(A) They exist inside the individual’s mind

(B) They exist outside and independently from individuals

(C) They depend on personal preferences

(D) They change constantly with moods

(B) They exist outside and independently from individuals

Explanation: Social facts have an existence independent of individual wills or consciousness.

29. Generality as a feature of social facts means they:

(A) Affect only isolated individuals

(B) Are widespread across a society or social group

(C) Are unpredictable

(D) Exist only temporarily

(B) Are widespread across a society or social group

Explanation: Social facts manifest broadly as shared norms and institutions.

30. An example of a social fact that involves coercion is:

(A) A personal hobby

(B) Legal rules and regulations

(C) A medical condition

(D) Private thought

(B) Legal rules and regulations

Explanation: Laws and regulations compel behaviour and enforce social order.

31. According to Durkheim, which of these is NOT a social fact?

(A) Customs

(B) Social norms

(C) Genetic traits

(D) Collective beliefs

(C) Genetic traits

Explanation: Genetics are biological, not social facts.

32. Durkheim’s principle that social facts should be treated as 'things' means:

(A) Social facts are subjective opinions

(B) Social facts can be empirically observed and objectively analyzed

(C) Social facts are irrelevant

(D) Social facts are imaginary

(B) Social facts can be empirically observed and objectively analyzed

Explanation: Treating social facts as things emphasizes their objective existence independent of individual bias.

33. What is Durkheim's term for the collective social mind that shapes social facts?

(A) Individual conscience

(B) Collective conscience

(C) Personal beliefs

(D) Biological instinct

(B) Collective conscience

Explanation: Collective conscience encompasses shared beliefs and values binding society together.

34. When Durkheim says that social facts are coercive, he means:

(A) They physically force people

(B) They influence behaviour through social pressure or sanctions

(C) They depend on emotions alone

(D) They have no real effect

(B) They influence behaviour through social pressure or sanctions

Explanation: Coercion refers to the societal pressure that requires conformity to social norms.

35. An example of a social fact identified by Durkheim includes:

(A) Language

(B) Individual dreams

(C) Personal opinions

(D) Physical health

(A) Language

Explanation: Language is a collective phenomenon shaping social interaction.

36. Durkheim argued that social facts:

(A) Differ based on personal feelings

(B) Exist independently of individual consciousness

(C) Are individual psychological states

(D) Change unpredictably day to day

(B) Exist independently of individual consciousness

Explanation: Social facts are independent social realities external to individual minds.

37. What role do social facts play in maintaining social order?

(A) They promote individual freedom only

(B) They regulate behaviour and uphold social norms

(C) They have no role

(D) They cause social chaos

(B) They regulate behaviour and uphold social norms

Explanation: Social facts function as mechanisms of social control ensuring order.

38. Which methodology does Durkheim advocate for in studying social facts?

(A) Philosophical speculation

(B) Empirical observation and comparative method

(C) Intuitive assumptions

(D) Personal opinions

(B) Empirical observation and comparative method

Explanation: Durkheim promotes positivist, data-driven sociology to uncover social laws.

39. Durkheim distinguished between the normal and pathological states of:

(A) Social facts, based on their prevalence and function in society

(B) Diseases

(C) Mental disorders

(D) Economic systems

(A) Social facts, based on their prevalence and function in society

Explanation: Normal social facts are healthy and common; pathological ones disrupt social order.

40. How does Durkheim’s concept of social facts relate to his broader sociological theory?

(A) Social facts are central objects of sociology, revealing the nature of social reality

(B) Social facts are irrelevant to sociology

(C) Sociology focuses only on biology

(D) Sociology ignores structure

(A) Social facts are central objects of sociology, revealing the nature of social reality

Explanation: Social facts are fundamental to Durkheim’s sociological approach to understanding social life.

41. According to Durkheim, which of the following is an example of a social fact?

(A) Personal opinion about religion

(B) Legal codes and institutions

(C) Individual emotions

(D) Genetic predispositions

(B) Legal codes and institutions

Explanation: Legal codes represent collective social phenomena that influence individual behaviour beyond personal opinions.

42. Durkheim viewed social facts as:

(A) Biological phenomena

(B) Social phenomena external to and coercive over the individual

(C) Psychological traits

(D) Random social behaviours

(B) Social phenomena external to and coercive over the individual

Explanation: Social facts operate independently of individual wills and exert social control.

43. Social facts are characterized by their:

(A) Temporariness and subjectivity

(B) Generality and coercive power over individuals

(C) Individual variability

(D) Biological origin

(B) Generality and coercive power over individuals

Explanation: Social facts are widespread and impose norms and sanctions on individuals.

44. Which of the following best captures the "external" quality of social facts?

(A) They originate in personal feelings

(B) They exist outside the consciousness and control of any individual

(C) They only affect one person at a time

(D) They change frequently with individual moods

(B) They exist outside the consciousness and control of any individual

Explanation: Social facts are collective realities beyond individuals’ control.

45. Durkheim believed sociology's unique object of study is:

(A) Biological instincts

(B) Social facts

(C) Individual psychology

(D) Economic markets

(B) Social facts

Explanation: Sociology studies social facts as collective forces shaping society.

46. How does Durkheim suggest sociologists study social facts?

(A) By empathy with individuals

(B) Through objective, empirical observation treating social facts as 'things'

(C) By speculating about society

(D) Through subjective interpretation

(B) Through objective, empirical observation treating social facts as 'things'

Explanation: He advocates a positivist method where social facts are observed scientifically.

47. What is one way social facts exert coercion?

(A) By physical force

(B) Through social sanctions and expectations

(C) By legal force only

(D) They don't coerce individuals

(B) Through social sanctions and expectations

Explanation: Social facts compel conformity by means of sanctions and social pressure.

48. Which of the following is NOT considered a social fact?

(A) Moral rules

(B) Laws

(C) Individual mindset

(D) Customs

(C) Individual mindset

Explanation: Individual mindsets are subjective and not social facts.

49. Durkheim’s concept of collective conscience refers to:

(A) Individual beliefs unrelated to society

(B) Shared beliefs, moral attitudes, and values of a society

(C) A biological organ

(D) A legal concept

(B) Shared beliefs, moral attitudes, and values of a society

Explanation: Collective conscience is the cohesive force of shared societal norms.

50. Durkheim stressed that sociology should focus on:

(A) Psychological analysis of individuals

(B) Studying social facts and their influence on behaviour

(C) Medical explanations of crime

(D) Economic incentives only

(B) Studying social facts and their influence on behaviour

Explanation: Sociology studies the external social forces shaping individuals.

51. Social facts include:

(A) Customs, beliefs, laws and technological systems

(B) Only economic transactions

(C) Only family structures

(D) Personal feelings

(A) Customs, beliefs, laws and technological systems

Explanation: Multiple collective aspects constitute social facts, from norms to institutions.

52. How do social facts relate to individual behaviour?

(A) They have no effect

(B) They shape and constrain individuals’ actions

(C) They mirror individual opinions only

(D) They are less important than biology

(B) They shape and constrain individuals’ actions

Explanation: Social facts influence behaviour by providing rules, norms, and constraints.

53. The "coercive" nature of social facts means:

(A) Individuals can freely ignore them

(B) They compel compliance often through social pressure or sanctions

(C) They are irrelevant to society

(D) They operate only through legal coercion

(B) They compel compliance often through social pressure or sanctions

Explanation: Social facts enforce conformity via non-legal social mechanisms too.

54. Which approach did Durkheim reject for explaining social phenomena?

(A) Positivist empirical method

(B) Psychological individualism

(C) Comparative historical analysis

(D) Treating social facts as real entities

(B) Psychological individualism

Explanation: Durkheim argued that social phenomena cannot be reduced to individual psychological causes.

55. Durkheim believed that the study of social facts would enable sociologists to:

(A) Predict social behaviour by understanding social laws

(B) Ignore social institutions

(C) Focus solely on economics

(D) Study only individual traits

(A) Predict social behaviour by understanding social laws

Explanation: Social facts reveal patterns and laws governing social behaviour.

56. An important rule for studying social facts is to:

(A) Understand their internal psychological basis

(B) Observe their external manifestations independently of individual opinions

(C) Avoid statistics

(D) Focus on emotions only

(B) Observe their external manifestations independently of individual opinions

Explanation: Sociologists must treat social facts as external realities measurable through their effects.

57. Durkheim described the relationship between social facts and individuals as:

(A) Individuals create social facts entirely

(B) Social facts exist independent of individuals and influence them

(C) Social facts are always internal states

(D) Social facts are irrelevant

(B) Social facts exist independent of individuals and influence them

Explanation: Social facts precede and constrain individual behaviour.

58. What is the nature of social facts according to Durkheim’s sociology?

(A) Subjective and changeable

(B) Objective and persistent

(C) Biological and temporary

(D) Random and fleeting

(B) Objective and persistent

Explanation: Social facts are external and continue across individuals and generations.

59. Durkheim argued that social norms:

(A) Lack any power to influence behaviour

(B) Are social facts imposing obligations or prohibitions

(C) Are purely personal

(D) Do not exist

(B) Are social facts imposing obligations or prohibitions

Explanation: Norms regulate social behaviour and act as constraints.

60. How did Durkheim’s concept of social facts influence sociology?

(A) It diminished the importance of social structures

(B) It established sociology’s object of study as collective phenomena distinct from individual psychology

(C) It focused sociology purely on biology

(D) It rejected scientific method

(B) It established sociology’s object of study as collective phenomena distinct from individual psychology

Explanation: Social facts formed the foundation for sociology as a distinct academic discipline.

61. According to Durkheim, social facts exert coercion over individuals by:

(A) Physical force

(B) Social pressure, rules, and sanctions

(C) Biological instincts

(D) Individual preferences

(B) Social pressure, rules, and sanctions

Explanation: Social facts coerce individuals through social norms, laws, and collective expectations.

62. Which of the following best describes the concept of "collective conscience"?

(A) A psychological state of individuals only

(B) The shared norms, values, and beliefs that bind a society together

(C) Legal codes only

(D) Biological traits of a population

(B) The shared norms, values, and beliefs that bind a society together

Explanation: Collective conscience is the communal set of ideas and moral attitudes that govern societal behaviour.

63. Durkheim’s position on social facts was to treat them as:

(A) Abstract ideas without reality

(B) Things that can be studied objectively with empirical methods

(C) Personal opinions

(D) Biological phenomena

(B) Things that can be studied objectively with empirical methods

Explanation: He urged treating social facts as real phenomena independent of individual consciousness.

64. What does Durkheim mean by the "externality" of social facts?

(A) They originate inside the individual

(B) They exist outside the individual’s control or awareness

(C) They are unpredictable

(D) They depend on emotions only

(B) They exist outside the individual’s control or awareness

Explanation: Social facts prevail externally and independently from individual will.

65. Durkheim identified the generality of social facts as meaning:

(A) They affect only a few individuals

(B) They are commonly found across a society or group

(C) They are rare exceptions

(D) They depend on individual choices

(B) They are commonly found across a society or group

Explanation: Social facts are collective characteristics typical of a social group.

66. An example of a social fact in Durkheim’s theory is:

(A) A single person’s feelings

(B) Institutionalized legal rules

(C) Personal preferences

(D) Genetic behaviour

(B) Institutionalized legal rules

Explanation: Legal rules exist independently and regulate individual behaviour.

67. What challenge did Durkheim emphasize regarding the sociologist's own biases?

(A) Sociologists have no biases

(B) Sociologists must eliminate their preconceived notions to objectively study social facts

(C) Personal opinions matter above data

(D) Bias helps understand society better

(B) Sociologists must eliminate their preconceived notions to objectively study social facts

Explanation: Durkheim called for the neutral, unbiased approach to social data.

68. Durkheim believed that social facts could be distinguished from individual acts by their:

(A) Intensity

(B) Collective nature and coercive power

(C) Mere popularity

(D) Novelty

(B) Collective nature and coercive power

Explanation: Social facts are general and constrain behaviour independently of individual decisions.

69. The study of social facts is foundational to:

(A) Psychology

(B) Sociology

(C) Biology

(D) Economics exclusively

(B) Sociology

Explanation: Durkheim established the study of social facts as the core subject of sociology.

70. Durkheim’s view implies that individuals are:

(A) Sole creators of social facts

(B) Subject to pre-existing social facts imposed by society

(C) Fully independent of society

(D) Irrelevant in shaping society

(B) Subject to pre-existing social facts imposed by society

Explanation: Social facts exist before individuals and guide their actions.

71. Durkheim distinguished between normal and pathological social facts based on:

(A) Their ubiquity and function within society

(B) Their personal relevance

(C) Their biological basis

(D) Their legal status only

(A) Their ubiquity and function within society

Explanation: Normal social facts function positively, while pathological ones indicate social dysfunction.

72. Durkheim believed sociological explanations should seek:

(A) Supernatural causes

(B) Societal causal patterns through comparative study

(C) Individual subjective experiences

(D) Intuitive understanding

(B) Societal causal patterns through comparative study

Explanation: Sociology should uncover general causes of social phenomena through empirical research.

73. How do social facts influence societal stability?

(A) By encouraging disorder

(B) By prescribing norms which regulate behaviour and promote order

(C) By being irrelevant to social order

(D) By destabilizing institutions

(B) By prescribing norms which regulate behaviour and promote order

Explanation: Social facts help maintain social cohesion through norms and institutions.

74. Durkheim’s methodological approach focuses on:

(A) Psychological introspection

(B) Empirical observation of social phenomena as things

(C) Random sampling of personal stories

(D) Speculative philosophy

(B) Empirical observation of social phenomena as things

Explanation: He promoted a scientific and objective study of social facts.

75. The "constraint" characteristic of social facts means:

(A) Social facts are optional

(B) Social facts impose obligations and are enforced in society

(C) Social facts are internal feelings

(D) Social facts are irrelevant

(B) Social facts impose obligations and are enforced in society

Explanation: Social facts compel compliance through cultural and legal sanctions.

76. Durkheim’s social facts include all EXCEPT:

(A) Religious beliefs

(B) Language

(C) Natural events like rain

(D) Social customs

(C) Natural events like rain

Explanation: Natural events are not social facts because they do not exert social coercion.

77. What is Durkheim’s stance on the independence of social facts?

(A) Social facts depend directly on individual psychology

(B) Social facts exist outside individual will and have their own reality

(C) Social facts are unpredictable

(D) Social facts come from biology

(B) Social facts exist outside individual will and have their own reality

Explanation: Social facts have an autonomous existence beyond individuals.

78. In Durkheim’s theory, language is:

(A) A biological instinct

(B) A social fact that externalizes collective communication norms

(C) An individual skill only

(D) Not socially significant

(B) A social fact that externalizes collective communication norms

Explanation: Language is a social system shared and imposed by society on individuals.

79. What is one effect when individuals resist social facts?

(A) Society ignores them

(B) They face social sanctions or exclusion

(C) Their perspective becomes dominant

(D) They automatically change social facts

(B) They face social sanctions or exclusion

Explanation: Resistance to social facts results in punishments or social exclusion.

80. Durkheim argued that sociology's main goal was to:

(A) Study individual consciousness

(B) Study social facts as objective realities shaping human behaviour

(C) Disprove the existence of social facts

(D) Blend sociology with psychology

(B) Study social facts as objective realities shaping human behaviour

Explanation: Sociology is the scientific study of social facts and their influence.

81. Durkheim’s concept of social facts highlights that:

(A) Society is an aggregate of individual thoughts only

(B) Society has realities that exist independently of individuals

(C) Social phenomena are unpredictable and random

(D) Individual conscience is the foundation of society

(B) Society has realities that exist independently of individuals

Explanation: Durkheim argued society has its own reality, distinct from individual mental states.

82. What is an example of an institutional social fact?

(A) Personal feelings of happiness

(B) The legal system and laws

(C) Individual tastes in music

(D) Genetic predispositions

(B) The legal system and laws

Explanation: Institutions such as legal codes represent social facts external to individuals.

83. Durkheim believed that social facts:

(A) Cannot be observed scientifically

(B) Should be studied empirically and objectively

(C) Are purely psychological phenomena

(D) Have no influence on individuals

(B) Should be studied empirically and objectively

Explanation: He emphasized scientific study and objective observation of social facts.

84. The "coercive power" of social facts refers to:

(A) Their psychological influence only

(B) Their capacity to constrain and regulate individual actions

(C) Physical force

(D) Biological instincts

(B) Their capacity to constrain and regulate individual actions

Explanation: Social facts regulate behaviour through social norms, customs, and sanctions.

85. Language, as a social fact, is:

(A) A natural instinct

(B) A system external to individuals, shaping communication

(C) An individual choice

(D) Unrelated to society

(B) A system external to individuals, shaping communication

Explanation: Language is a collective social phenomenon shaping individuals' behaviour.

86. Durkheim’s social facts are:

(A) Subjective personal beliefs

(B) Independent collective realities that influence individual behaviour

(C) Unobservable mental events

(D) Random actions of individuals

(B) Independent collective realities that influence individual behaviour

Explanation: Social facts exist outside individuals and constrain behaviour.

87. Which is NOT a feature of social facts as defined by Durkheim?

(A) Externality to individuals

(B) Generality within society

(C) Coercive power over behaviour

(D) Dependence on personal whims

(D) Dependence on personal whims

Explanation: Social facts exist independently of individual preferences.

88. Durkheim’s method for studying social facts includes:

(A) Treating them as subjective beliefs

(B) Using statistical and comparative methods to study social phenomena

(C) Ignoring societal norms

(D) Focusing solely on individual experiences

(B) Using statistical and comparative methods to study social phenomena

Explanation: He advocated objective, comparative empirical sociology.

89. Which of the following is a non-material social fact?

(A) Laws

(B) Religion and moral beliefs

(C) Infrastructure

(D) Population density

(B) Religion and moral beliefs

Explanation: Non-material social facts involve collective ideas and values.

90. According to Durkheim, social facts contain:

(A) No coercion but influence through dialogue

(B) Coercion, compelling individuals to conform

(C) Purely voluntary social pressures

(D) No influence on social behaviour

(B) Coercion, compelling individuals to conform

Explanation: Social facts exercise coercive power over individuals.

91. What role does the "collective conscience" play in social facts?

(A) It has no relevance

(B) It forms the shared values and beliefs that underpin social facts

(C) It applies only to religious groups

(D) It opposes social norms

(B) It forms the shared values and beliefs that underpin social facts

Explanation: The collective conscience reflects society’s common moral framework.

92. Durkheim’s view was that social facts are:

(A) Biological impulses pointed to social behaviour

(B) Distinct from and autonomous over individual opinions

(C) Inventions of individual minds

(D) Unstable powers

(B) Distinct from and autonomous over individual opinions

Explanation: Social facts exist independently of individual subjective experiences.

93. Durkheim’s "Rules of Sociological Method" aim to:

(A) Define how sociology should objectively study social facts

(B) Refute the existence of social facts

(C) Merge sociology with biology

(D) Focus on psychology only

(A) Define how sociology should objectively study social facts

Explanation: They outline scientific principles for studying social phenomena.

94. Social facts are often enforced by:

(A) Physical punishment only

(B) Social sanctions such as shame, ostracism, or legal penalties

(C) Personal choices

(D) Natural forces

(B) Social sanctions such as shame, ostracism, or legal penalties

Explanation: Social norms are maintained through social and legal sanctions.

95. Durkheim believed that sociology's main objective was to:

(A) Analyze genetics of human behaviour

(B) Study social facts to understand the structure of society

(C) Focus on personal psychological motives alone

(D) Avoid scientific methodology

(B) Study social facts to understand the structure of society

Explanation: Sociology is the scientific study of external social realities shaping human behaviour.

96. Which example does NOT qualify as a social fact?

(A) A country's legal code

(B) A folk custom

(C) An individual’s dream

(D) The concept of property ownership

(C) An individual’s dream

Explanation: Individual dreams are private mental events, not social facts.

97. Why did Durkheim emphasize the external observation of social facts?

(A) To understand psychological motivations

(B) To treat them scientifically and avoid subjective bias

(C) To confirm individual opinions

(D) To focus on biological differences

(B) To treat them scientifically and avoid subjective bias

Explanation: Objective observation avoids biases and yields scientific knowledge of society.

98. Durkheim argued that individuals are:

(A) Free agents independent of society

(B) Socially compelled to conform to social facts

(C) Unaffected by social structures

(D) Solely influenced by biology

(B) Socially compelled to conform to social facts

Explanation: Social facts create external constraints individuals must navigate.

99. Material social facts include:

(A) Traditions, rituals

(B) Physical institutions, laws, and infrastructures

(C) Individual beliefs

(D) Personal emotions

(B) Physical institutions, laws, and infrastructures

Explanation: Material social facts are tangible social structures.

100. Durkheim’s social realism suggests that:

(A) Social facts are illusions

(B) Society is a real entity distinct from individuals

(C) Society is purely mental

(D) Society cannot be known

(B) Society is a real entity distinct from individuals

Explanation: Durkheim maintained that society exists independently of individual members.