Which type of social cohesion is based on sameness?

The correct choice reflects a concept from sociologist Emile Durkheim, who distinguished between two types of social cohesion: mechanical (or segmental) solidarity and organic solidarity. Mechanical solidarity is characterized by the social integration of individuals who share similar values, beliefs, and lifestyles. This form of cohesion is often found in traditional societies where people perform similar tasks and have a common identity.

In such settings, individuals are bound together by their similarities and collective sentiments, leading to a strong sense of belonging and community. The emphasis is on conformity to social norms and collective consciousness, which fosters social order and prevents deviance. This collective understanding is a hallmark of mechanical solidarity and contrasts sharply with organic solidarity, where social cohesion arises from the interdependence of individuals in more complex, modern societies, highlighting differences and specialization rather than sameness.

Knowing this distinction helps to understand how societies evolve in terms of their social structures and the nature of relationships within them.