Functionalist : Malinowski & Religion

Question 1

How does Malinowski differ from Durkheim?

Answer 1

He does not see religion as reflecting society as a whole , and does not see religious ritual as the worship of society itself

Question 2

How does religion help people to deal with life crisis according to Malinowski ?

Answer 2

Situations such as divorce , poverty , death and birth and religion helps as therapy to distress and act as emotional support, comfort and reassurance

Question 3

What is the purpose of a funeral for Malinowski?

Answer 3

Funeral is not for the dead but for living to deal with death and can function better in society

Question 4

Why are the evaluation of Malinowski ?

Answer 4

• many rituals are unrelated to crisis and uncertainty
• do rituals always help ?
• many times of crises are not accompanied by rituals

Question 5

What does the evaluation of many rituals are unrelated to crisis and uncertainty say ?

Answer 5

Rituals are related to status and prestige in society and have little to do with solidarity and dealing with uncertainty

Question 6

What does malwoski many times of crises are not accompanied by ritual say ?

Answer 6

Few rituals for menopause, bad weather or divorce so many life crises religion fails to help with so religion not always successful fulfilling function that malowski explain

Question 7

What does Malinowski do ritual help evaluation say ?

Answer 7

Malinowski says rituals are supposed to minimise stress but planning and paying for religious rituals can cause stress e.g weddings and funerals