The concept of “social facts” is one of the most important contributions of Émile Durkheim to sociology. Durkheim attempted to establish sociology as a scientific discipline by focusing on social realities that exist outside the individual. His ideas helped sociology develop its own subject matter and methodology separate from psychology and philosophy.
This article presents a unique collection of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on Durkheim and the science of social facts for sociology students, competitive examinations, and academic revision. The questions are based on the uploaded MCQ document.
Introduction to Social Facts
Durkheim defined sociology as the scientific study of social facts. According to him, social facts are ways of acting, thinking, and feeling that are external to the individual and exercise coercive power over people. These facts shape human behavior and maintain social order.
Durkheim explained the concept systematically in his famous work The Rules of Sociological Method. He argued that society is not merely a collection of individuals; rather, it is a reality “sui generis,” meaning a unique reality greater than the sum of its parts.
MCQs on Durkheim and Social Facts
1. Who defined sociology as the “science of social facts”?
A. Auguste Comte
B. Max Weber
C. Emile Durkheim
D. Herbert Spencer
Answer: C. Emile Durkheim
Explanation: Durkheim established sociology as a distinct scientific discipline by defining social facts as its main subject matter.
2. In which book did Durkheim explain the concept of social facts systematically?
A. Suicide
B. The Division of Labour in Society
C. The Rules of Sociological Method
D. Elementary Forms of Religious Life
Answer: C. The Rules of Sociological Method
Explanation: Published in 1895, this work provided the methodological foundation for sociology.
3. According to Durkheim, social facts are:
A. Biological instincts
B. Psychological states
C. External social realities
D. Personal emotions
Answer: C. External social realities
Explanation: Social facts exist outside the individual and influence behavior through social pressure.
4. What does the term “sui generis” imply in Durkheim’s sociology?
A. Society is temporary
B. Society is biological
C. Society is unique and independent
D. Society is imaginary
Answer: C. Society is unique and independent
Explanation: Durkheim believed society has its own characteristics that cannot be reduced to individual actions.
5. Which characteristic of social facts refers to their power to control individuals?
A. Generality
B. Coercion
C. Independence
D. Subjectivity
Answer: B. Coercion
Explanation: Social facts force individuals to conform to social norms and expectations.
Characteristics of Social Facts
Durkheim identified several important features of social facts:
- Externality
- Coercion
- Generality
- Independence
These characteristics make social facts observable and measurable realities.
6. The continuation of language across generations shows which characteristic of social facts?
A. Coercion
B. Generality
C. Independence
D. Subjectivity
Answer: C. Independence
Explanation: Language survives regardless of individual births or deaths.
7. Social facts are general because they:
A. Apply to only one person
B. Exist in every society
C. Are widely shared within society
D. Are biological
Answer: C. Are widely shared within society
Explanation: Social facts are collective realities experienced by many members of society.
8. Durkheim argued that social facts should be treated as:
A. Ideas
B. Things
C. Myths
D. Emotions
Answer: B. Things
Explanation: Durkheim wanted sociologists to study society scientifically and objectively.
9. Resistance against social norms usually results in:
A. Rewards
B. Social sanctions
C. Isolation from society only
D. Nothing
Answer: B. Social sanctions
Explanation: Punishment or criticism reveals the coercive power of social facts.
Types of Social Facts
Durkheim divided social facts into material and non-material forms.
Material Social Facts
These include visible institutions and structures such as law, government, and population distribution.
Non-Material Social Facts
These include beliefs, morals, collective conscience, and values.
10. Which of the following is a material social fact?
A. Moral beliefs
B. Values
C. Legal codes
D. Collective conscience
Answer: C. Legal codes
Explanation: Legal systems have physical and institutional existence.
11. Social norms and values are examples of:
A. Material social facts
B. Biological facts
C. Non-material social facts
D. Psychological facts
Answer: C. Non-material social facts
12. “Social currents” refer to:
A. Permanent institutions
B. Temporary collective emotions
C. Religious laws
D. Population density
Answer: B. Temporary collective emotions
Explanation: Crowd excitement, anger, or enthusiasm are examples of social currents.
13. Morphological social facts are related to:
A. Individual psychology
B. Religious beliefs
C. Physical structure of society
D. Emotions
Answer: C. Physical structure of society
Explanation: Population density and communication systems are morphological facts.
14. The collective conscience means:
A. Individual morality
B. Shared social beliefs and values
C. Political ideology
D. Personal consciousness
Answer: B. Shared social beliefs and values
Normal and Pathological Social Facts
Durkheim distinguished between normal and pathological social facts.
- Normal facts contribute to social stability.
- Pathological facts indicate disorder or dysfunction.
15. A social fact is considered normal when it:
A. Exists regularly in society
B. Is morally superior
C. Benefits elites
D. Is religious
Answer: A. Exists regularly in society
16. Which of the following is a pathological social fact?
A. Moderate social control
B. Shared values
C. Extreme rise in suicide rates
D. Family institutions
Answer: C. Extreme rise in suicide rates
17. Why did Durkheim consider some level of crime normal?
A. Crime strengthens collective morality
B. Crime is beneficial economically
C. Crime removes weak people
D. Crime is psychological
Answer: A. Crime strengthens collective morality
Explanation: Punishing crime reinforces social boundaries and shared values.
Methodological Rules of Sociology
Durkheim proposed scientific rules for sociological study.
18. According to Durkheim, one social fact should be explained by:
A. Biology
B. Psychology
C. Another social fact
D. Religion alone
Answer: C. Another social fact
19. Durkheim emphasized sociologists must:
A. Depend on intuition
B. Remove personal biases
C. Use only interviews
D. Ignore statistics
Answer: B. Remove personal biases
20. Which method did Durkheim use in his study of suicide?
A. Laboratory experiment
B. Comparative statistical method
C. Ethnography
D. Observation only
Answer: B. Comparative statistical method
Suicide as a Social Fact
In Suicide, Durkheim proved that suicide rates are socially determined rather than purely individual acts.
21. Durkheim identified which two social forces behind suicide rates?
A. Religion and politics
B. Wealth and poverty
C. Integration and regulation
D. Biology and climate
Answer: C. Integration and regulation
22. Egoistic suicide occurs because of:
A. Excessive integration
B. Weak social integration
C. Strong regulation
D. Religious pressure
Answer: B. Weak social integration
23. Anomic suicide results from:
A. Excessive social order
B. Strong traditions
C. Normlessness during social change
D. Family support
Answer: C. Normlessness during social change
Religion and Society
In The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, Durkheim argued that religion represents society itself.
24. Durkheim believed that worship of God is actually worship of:
A. Nature
B. Kings
C. Society
D. Individuals
Answer: C. Society
Criticism of Durkheim
Several sociologists criticized Durkheim’s theory.
25. Which sociologist criticized Durkheim for ignoring subjective meanings?
A. Karl Marx
B. Max Weber
C. Talcott Parsons
D. George Mead
Answer: B. Max Weber
26. Dennis Wrong criticized Durkheim for presenting an:
A. Under-socialized man
B. Over-socialized conception of man
C. Economic view of society
D. Religious bias
Answer: B. Over-socialized conception of man
27. George Herbert Mead believed society is created through:
A. Religion
B. Conflict
C. Daily interaction
D. Laws only
Answer: C. Daily interaction
Advanced Concepts
28. A national flag representing shared social beliefs is called:
A. Social current
B. Collective representation
C. Material fact
D. Social norm
Answer: B. Collective representation
29. Mechanical solidarity is based on:
A. Division of labour
B. Shared beliefs and similarities
C. Capitalism
D. Urbanization
Answer: B. Shared beliefs and similarities
30. Organic solidarity develops through:
A. Religious unity
B. Similar lifestyles
C. Division of labour and interdependence
D. Tribal traditions
Answer: C. Division of labour and interdependence
Conclusion
The theory of social facts remains one of the foundational pillars of sociology. Durkheim’s scientific approach helped sociology gain recognition as an independent academic discipline. His concepts of coercion, collective conscience, social solidarity, and suicide continue to influence sociological research today.
For sociology students, understanding Durkheim’s theory is essential for grasping the broader development of sociological thought and methodology. These MCQs provide a useful revision resource for university examinations, NET preparation, and competitive tests.