Durkheim's Theory of Mental Categories: A Review of the Evidence

Abstract

I Abstract Durkheim hypothesized that basic categories of thought are based on society as their model, and that these mental representations arise from participation in society's totemic rites. This proposition is evaluated in light of recent research on the cognitive architecture of newborns and infants. The evidence suggests that presocialized infants possess mental representations of not only the physical world but also the minds of others and even the sui generis quality of collectivities. This review concludes that the Durkheimian theory of the social origin of mind has little empirical support and suggests that the sociology of mental life needs to be radically retheorized.

Re-Reading Sociology via the Emotions: Karl Marx's Theory of Human Nature and Estrangement

“…Oilman importantly emphasizes that such dichotomies pose things as "either/or" and in opposition when, in fact, they form a "unity." Durkheim's work on emotion and rationality, and recent work in this tradition by Rawls (1996;1997;2004) may help specify this further (however, cf. Bergesen 2004;Schmaus 1998).…”

“…Durkheim's work on emotion and rationality, and recent work in this tradition by Rawls (1996;1997;2004) may help specify this further (however, cf. Bergesen 2004;Schmaus 1998). Furthermore, through his argument that Marx adhered to a "philosophy of internal relations" (cf.…”

“…2. Attenfion to emotions has now influenced many long-established sub-fields within sociology (e.g., Barbalet 2002b;Berezin 2001;Flam 2000;Flam and King 2005;Goodwin et al 2001;James and Gabe 1996;Pixley 1999;2004;Scheff [1994] 2000) and opened up new ones (e.g., Barbalet 1998;Clark 1987;Denzin [1984Denzin [ ] 2007Hochschild 1979;Katz 1999;Scheff 1990a;Shott 1979;TenHouten 2007;Tumer 2007).…”

“Collective Representations” and the “Generalized Other”: A Review of the Evidence on the Convergence of Durkheim and Mead

“…The following is a reconstruction of the limited research on this theme; that provided by Bergesen (2004); Hinkle (1964); Kerr (2008); Lewis and Smith (1980); Parsons (1964); Perinbanayagam (1975); Rochberg-Halton (1982) and Stone and Farberman (1967). The fact that both Durkheim and Mead were original thinkers makes this comparison all the more exciting and, hopefully, makes this recapturing of the evidence of convergence a worthwhile endeavor.…”

Modeling Role Enactment: Linking Role Theory and Social Cognition

“…However, while cognition may be addressed as a mediating variable by role theorists (see, for example, statements made by social identity theory, in the review by Hogg, Terry, & White 1995), it is not conceptualized as a determinate element. That is, cognition merits attention to the extent that it can offer an “explanation” for social behavior (Ashforth & Johnson 2001; Bergesen 2004). It is not seen as an absolute condition of a role performance.…”