Differences in relgiosity Flashcards
Beliefs in society
What are the five main reasons for differences in religiosity between men and women? Also state which sociologist can be attached to the theory.
1= Socialisation (Miller, Hoffman & Greely)
2= Paid work (Bruce)
3= The new age (Bruce)
4= Compensators (Bruce)
5= The pentacostal paradox (Berger)
______ and _________ suggest males are socialised to be more likely to take the ‘_____’ that religion is not real and be condemned to hell. By contrast, women are socialised to be more p_________, o_________ and c_______, which are traits valued by religions.
Miller and Hoffman
risk
passive
obedient
caring
______ argues that ________ has been driven out of the male-dominated sphere of _____, confined to the ________ sphere. And this is why religion is more attractive to women. However, in today’s society, _____ _______ ____ ______
Bruce
religion
work
family
most women now work
How does new age movements influence the differences in religiosity between men and women.
Women are more associated with nature and personal growth, similar to new age movements. Bruce suggests that they are attractive to middle-class women, wheras working-class women are attracted to a passive role, such as belief in an all-powerful God.
Why are sects more attractive to females than males?
Bruce estimates that there are 2x as many women in sects than men. This is because they offer compensation for deprivation and their ‘second-class status in society’.
What are the three types of deprivation which sects aim to resolve?
1= Orgasmic deprivation (physical & mental health)
2= Ethical deprivation (conflict with the worlds morals)
3= Social deprivation (those who are marginalised)
Explain the pentacostal paradox.
Despite religion being patriarchal (men are the head of both the house and the church), it becomes attractive to women as it demands an ascetic lifestyle. It insists that men provide for their family, and combats ideas of machismo (gambling, alcohol, tobacco etc.).
What are the recent trends in the religiosity of females?
As women move into paid work, there has been a decline in religious participation.
In London, _________ (2013) found that black people were _______ as likely to go to chuch than whites.
Brierley
twice
Explain cultural defence.
This is where religion offers a sense of identity in an uncertain or hostile environement (Bruce).
Explain cultural transition.
This is where religion acts as a means of easing the transition into a new culture by providing support in a new environment.
What did Bird say about cultural defence?
Bird suggests that religion is a base of community solidarity, preserving culture and language to cope with oppression in a racist society.
What did Herberg give as evidence for cultural transition in the USA?
He saw high religious participation among first-generation immigrants.
Define secularisation.
Secularisation is the process wherby religious beliefs, practices and institutions loose social significance.
Between 1851 and 2015 how much have church attendances fell by?
In 1851, 40% of people attended church on a Sunday, and in 2015 it was just 5%.
Which organisations have seen the largest decline?
Larger organisations, such as CofE and the Catholic church have seen a bigger decline than smaller organisations.
What is an AO3 point regarding recent trends in secularisation?
In the 2021 census, 46.2% of people still reported as Christian, down from 59.3% in 2011.
Some argue it is not declining, just changing form.
The four theories explaining secularisation:
1= R____________
2= S_____________ D____________
3= S________ and C________ __________
4= R_____________ D__________
1= Rationalisation
2= Structural differentiation
3= Social and cultural diversity
4= Religious diversity
Define rationalisation.
Rationalisation refers to the process by which rational ways of thinking and acting come to replace religious ones.
________ argued that the protestant reformation begun _______________ in the west. A __________ worldview was replaced by a __________ outlook. The medieval world saw the world as ‘___________’, where God was ________, wheras protestantism saw God as not intervening. Events could no longer be explained by _____________ beings, thus rationalisation occured.
Weber
rationalisation
religious
sceintific
enchanted
active
supernatural
_________ says when specialised ____________ develop and carry out the functions performed by others, and this is called _________ ______________. It has led to a disengagement of religion as it’s functions have been _____________.
Parsons
institutions
structural differentiaton
disengagement
transferred
________ argues that in ___-__________ communities, values were expressed via __________ _______. ________ says _____________ has _________ beliefs.
Wilson
pre-industrial
collective rituals
Bruce
industrialisation
undermined
_______ says that now there is many organisations and ____________ of faith. He argues that it creates a _____ for the ___________ of religion, as diversity undermines the “___________ __________”.
Berger
interpretations
crisis
credibility
plausibility structure
How does cultural defence and transition prevent secularisation?
It is a focus point for group identity. Religion survives where it performs functions.
What is the trend of age and religiosity?
Generally, the older a person is, the more religious they are.
What are the three reasons that Voas and Cricket suggest for age differences in religion?
1= The ageing affect
2= Period or cohort effect
3= Secularisation
Explain the ageing affect and its impact on age and religiosity.
People often turn to religion as they get older. Heelas (2005) argues people become more spiritual with age.
Explain the period / cohort effect and its impact on age and religiosity.
People born in a particular period may be more or less religious due to their experiences.
Explain how secularisation has an impact on age and religiosity.
Each generation being less religious than the last means than older people tend to be more religious.
Define theodicy of disprivledge.
This is a solution provided by sects which justifies the suffering of their members due to deprivation or marginalisation from society.
