Which term is associated with a form of social solidarity based on interdependence and division of labor in a modern, differentiated society?

• A. Mechanical solidarity
• B. Organic solidarity
• C. Collective Conscience
• D. Social Integration

Answer: (B)

Interdependence and division of labor in a modern, differentiated society give rise to organic solidarity. In such societies, people rely on others’ specialized roles to meet daily needs, so social cohesion comes from this mutual dependence rather than from being similar. Mechanical solidarity binds through sameness and shared beliefs, while organic solidarity rests on how diverse tasks connect people. The collective conscience refers to shared beliefs that can underpin cohesion, but it’s the interdependent, specialized structure that defines organic solidarity. Social integration is a broader term about how well a society holds together, not the specific Durkheimian form described here.