Theoretical frameworks and concepts in academic discourse

Theorist: Emile Durkheim

Emile Durkheim was a significant contributor to the field of Sociology. In fact, he is considered by many to be the father of Sociology. Durkheim was a proponent of functionalism in that he believed that the individual was not as important as the social structure in determining behavior. Further, functionalists believe that Sociology is a science (positivism) and that society is built "around a value consensus and social solidarity which is achieved by socialization and social control" (Bryant, 2012, p.1) Durkheim is also defined by his belief in control theory which stresses the belief that individual behavior is determined by outside social influences and thus controlled by society not the individual (Bryant, 2012, p.1). Thus, Durkheim is most closely aligned with my beliefs because of his beliefs in control theory, functionalism, and positivism.

Positivism holds that sociology is a science and as such is governed by the rules governing science (Bryant, 2012, p.1). Essentially, the facts must speak for themselves by being measurable and testable. Further, the results of such observations will not necessarily support the hypotheses (Bryant, 2012, p.1). Because Sociology is a science, if the facts do not support the theory, the theory must be altered to meet the actual results of scientific observation. Thus, Durkheim believed that human behavior is predictable and measurable in various situations. He stressed the empirical study in the social sciences (Bryant, 2012, p.1). An example of Durkheims' belief in positivism is found in Les Suicide and the methodology by which he studied the rates of suicide in Catholics vs. Protestants among other culturally diverse groups (Durkheim, 1897, p. 14).

Essentially, Durkheim found that suicide rates are lower among Catholics than among Protestants (Durkheim, 1897, p.14). He also found that suicide rates are lower among married people than among single people (Durkheim, 1897, p. 14). These results, according to Durkheim, support the view that society is comprised of a complex structure and that the individual is governed by that structure of his or her society (Durkheim, 1897, p. 14). Where there is a weak social structure, individual behavior is more likely to be abberrant than when there is a strong social structure binding individuals to a community (Durkheim, 1897, p. 14). He reasoned that Catholics, as a group, more fully integrate individuals into the group and have exacting rules of behavior (what is and is not acceptable) than do Protestants (Durkheim, 1897, p. 14). To Durkheim, this explained why Catholics in his study exhibited a lower rate of suicide than Protestants (Turner, 2002, p. 457).

Durkheim was a firm believer in control theory. He believed that behavior is determined by outside forces which comprise a social structure, namely, family, school, morals, values, beliefs, religion, etc.(Turner, 2002, p. 457). When an individual is strongly influenced by his social network and value belief system, that individual is more likely to conform to that set of norms (Turner, 2002, p. 457). For example, an Eagle Scout who has been fully indoctrinated into the tenets, norms, values, and total support system of the Boy Scouts of America is more likely to "Be Prepared" than individuals who have not committed to a social group such as the scouts who hold preparedness as almost sacred.