Differentiate between normal and pathological social fact.
Share
Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email.
Please briefly explain why you feel this question should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this answer should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this user should be reported.
Differentiate between normal and pathological social fact.
Emile Durkheim, a prominent sociologist, introduced the concept of social facts as a fundamental element in understanding societies. Social facts refer to the aspects of social life external to individuals but have a coercive power over them. Durkheim further categorized social facts into two types: normal and pathological.
Normal social facts are those aspects of social life that are considered regular, expected, and conform to the prevailing norms and values of a society. They contribute to the stability and functioning of the social order. Examples of normal social facts include customs, traditions, norms, and everyday routines that are widely accepted and followed within a society. These normal social facts play a crucial role in maintaining social integration and cohesion.
For instance, the norm of reciprocity, where individuals feel obligated to return favors, is a normal social fact. It is a regular and expected pattern of social behavior that reinforces social bonds and cooperation.
Pathological social facts, on the other hand, are considered irregular, disruptive, or deviant from the established norms of society. They represent elements that deviate from the expected patterns of behavior and can lead to social instability or dysfunction. Examples of pathological social facts include crime, suicide, or other forms of deviant behavior that challenge the normal functioning of society.
Durkheim's study of suicide exemplifies the concept of pathological social facts. He explored how variations in suicide rates could be linked to social factors, demonstrating that suicide rates were not merely individual acts but reflected broader social phenomena. High or low suicide rates, according to Durkheim, were indicative of underlying social pathologies or anomie.
In summary, normal social facts align with the regular and expected aspects of social life that contribute to societal stability, while pathological social facts represent deviations or disruptions from the norm that may signal underlying social issues. Durkheim's distinction helps sociologists analyze the health and functioning of a society by examining both its regularities and anomalies.