Functionalism Flashcards
What do functionalists believe in?
Functionalists believe have structural view of society . Believe religion is a vital institution that promotes social order. Believe religion functions to provide stability to society therefore conservative force.
What is sacred?
Things that are special and has significance to it
What is profane?
Things that are ordinary, average and mundane, no special meaning to it
What did Durkheim argue on the sacred and profane
Durkheim believed the purpose of religion was to differentiate between the two
what is socialisation in religion
Functionalists believe that religion acts as an agent of secondary socialisation it reachers norms and values of society and reinforces value consensus
Talcott parsons believed through sacred texts religion elevates values of society into sacred moral codes
Example two commandments- same values in national religion
What is the cognitive function of religion
Durkheim believed that not only religion major agent of socialisation but provides its followers intellectual capacity to understand the world.
What is the keyword when you worship totemsim it resembles society
Collective consciousness
What is collective consciousness and key aspects of of it
Collective consciousness- shared understanding of norms and values and beliefs
Durkheim studied Australian clam religion is based on totemism.
Chosen sacred symbols means higher power what protects them.
Worshipping their god they workshop society.
What does collective consciousness promote
Social integration
What is civil religion who argues on this
Robert Bella’s- argued USA has its own civil religion known as Americanism, combined religion and national values, Bella’s points out Americanism is civil religion has developed in order to avoid conflict and promote integration in American society. God represents America would be as sacred.
Tool to integrate and social stability.
What are the psychological functions of religion?
Malinowski- claims that religion provides society with psychological functions. Religion can help people overcome with life crisis. It achieves by creating rites of passage. To help its believers t deal with stress anxiety and grief and return normally.
Minimising the level of disruption acts source of social stability.
What were Malinowski study?
In his anthropoligcal study, he observed the triobland islanders using religion to overcome stress. Ritual actions ‘kula’ journey to neighbours affect to prayer.
Who disagrees with functionalism
Hamilton- religion has no dysfunctions such as creating conflict
Marxists- Argue religion is exploitation dull mask the pain.
