SOC231H5 Midterm: soc231 test 3.docx
Document Summary
Social facts exercise external constrains on individuals. They are general and non specific- not particular to individuals- they are shared by all individuals. Sui generis- means of its own kind or unique. Social facts are the values, norms, and structures external to the individual, but can constrain the individual. The whole is grater than the sum of its parts. Marathon example- work out better when in a group, perform better. What is meant by this concept is that social facts are external and general. External meaning they have their own independent reality beyond individuals. Suicide is an example that reveals the great influence of social facts general is that the meaning is shared among all individuals, not only invested in particular group of individuals. Language is a social fact because it is external to individuals: no particular individual or group of individuals created it. Secondly, it constrains individual speech: through rules of grammar and syntax.
