What term did Durkheim use to describe patterned ways of acting, thinking, and feeling that exist outside any one individual?

The term that Durkheim used to describe patterned ways of acting, thinking, and feeling that exist outside any one individual is "social facts." Social facts encompass the collective ways in which society influences individual behavior, thoughts, and emotions. Durkheim emphasized that these are external forces that guide individuals, shaping their actions and perceptions in a social context.

Social facts include institutions, laws, values, and norms, which exist independently of any single person and can exert social power over individuals, influencing their behavior in a consistent and predictable manner. This concept is central to Durkheim’s approach to sociology, as he sought to study society scientifically, identifying patterns and structures that transcend individual experiences.

This term stands in contrast to other options like social norms, which are specific rules governing behavior, or cultural patterns, which may refer to a broader array of shared beliefs and practices within a culture. Individual behaviors, on the other hand, focus solely on personal actions without acknowledging the societal influences that shape them. Hence, "social facts" most accurately captures Durkheim's intent to understand the collective dimensions of social life.