Functionalism Flashcards
(35 cards)
According to Durkheim, what are the functions of religion?
Social integration/cohesion
Collective conscience - provides moral values for stability
An agent of secondary socialisation
What are Durkheim’s main ideas on religion?
sacred and the profane, totemism, collective conscience, cognitive functions
explain Durkheim’s sacred and profane
Religion tells us what is sacred and what is normal
Humans, rather than the divine, place significance
Sacred things inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder
Supermarket wine vs blood of Christ consumed during mass
give an example of the sacred and the profane
Supermarket wine vs blood of Christ consumed during mass
give an example of totemism?
Understand religion by looking at its simplest form
Arunta Aboriginal tribe - groups of kin gathered at certain times of the year to worship sacred totem
Totem represents the clan’s origin/identity - rituals enforce sense of belonging and identity
Worshipping the totem = worshipping society/the group
Can be applied to all sacred symbols
explain Durkheim’s totemism?
Understand religion by looking at its simplest form
Arunta Aboriginal tribe - groups of kin gathered at certain times of the year to worship sacred totem
Totem represents the clan’s origin/identity - rituals enforce sense of belonging and identity
Worshipping the totem = worshipping society/the group
Can be applied to all sacred symbols
according to Durkheim, how can we understand religion?
looking at its simplest form
who did Durkheim study?
Arunta Aboriginal tribe
Explain Durkheim’s collective conscience
Shared norms, values, beliefs and knowledge that makes social living possible
Regular rituals and moral codes reinforce this and maintain social integration → reminds people that they have a common moral outlook to which they owe loyalty
Breaking moral codes brings consequences
Individual feels part of something bigger than themselves → invigorating them to face life’s trials and obstacles
Explain Durkheim’s cognitive functions
Religion is the origin of concepts and categories needed for reasoning, understanding and communication
People need concepts such as time and cause to make sense of the world
Need to share concepts with others to communicate effectively
Religion provides concepts e.g creation stories
what did Durkheim say about nationalism?
Nationalism is a type of religion - a civil religion because it has similar functions to more conventional religions e.g unity and integration
criticisms of Durkheim’s argument that nationalism is a civil religion
stretches the definition to include beliefs with no supernatural element / nationalism does not provide ultimate meanings
what are the criticisms of Durkheim?
Downplays the role that religion plays in social change (Positive change e.g Liberation Theology, expression through religion / Negative change - Weber - capitalism)
Declining religiosity and increased secularisation - Religion has no power if there are no believers
Religion can be a disruptive and socially divisive influence - Tears apart communities and causing wars / Huntington - religion and religious identity can cause a ‘clash of civilisations’
Nationalism is not a civil religion - this stretches the definition to include beliefs with no supernatural element / nationalism does not provide ultimate meanings
who explored religion’s psychological function?
Malinowski
Who did Malinowski study?
Trobriand Islanders
Explain Malinowski’s theory of religion
Religion has a psychological function
Studied Trobriand Islanders - ritual before dangerous ocean fishing to cope with potential hazards/death
Religion served psychological functions and provided support in times of emotional stress
Lessens stress in life events e.g birth and death through ceremonies
Religions mark life events with specific rituals that bring the community together, easing uncertainty and promoting unity
Religion provides emotional security when social stability is threatened through grief or change. It can provide explanation and meaning for individuals when things seem hopeless or meaningless e.g funeral services act as comfort for the bereaved, chuc attendance figures soared during wartime
Give an example of religion serving a psychological function for Trobriand Islanders
ritual before dangerous ocean fishing to cope with potential hazards/death
What does Malinowski say about security?
Religion provides emotional security when social stability is threatened through grief or change. It can provide explanation and meaning for individuals when things seem hopeless or meaningless e.g funeral services act as comfort for the bereaved, chuc attendance figures soared during wartime
Give an example of religion providing comfort/security
funeral services act as comfort for the bereaved, church attendance figures soared during wartime
criticisms of Malinowski
theory not based on religious beliefs in themselves but social connection / decline in religious practices suggest religion does not need to fulfil these psychological functions
what are Parsons’ 2 functions?
Creates and legitimises society’s values
Primary source of meaning
how does religion create and legitimise society’s values?
Sacralies values e.g American Protestantism and values of individualism, meritocracy and self-discipline
Values ingrained through socialisation
Breaking rules leads to a guilty conscience
how does religion provide a primary source of meaning?
Answers ‘big’ questions to maintain sense of justice and social stability e.g why do people suffer
Mechanism of attachment
who discusses civil religions? What do they give as an example?
Bellah
USA
