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Sociology Beliefs > Functionalism > Flashcards

Functionalism Flashcards

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What should you not do when talking about Functionalists?

A

DON’T GROUP THEM TOGETHER!
They all say something different
*Only exception is in a 20 marks essay - needs a general conclusion

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2
Q

What definition of religion do functionalist follow?

A

Functional definition

Focus on what religion does for S + individuals

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3
Q

How do functionalists see religion?

A

An institution that contributes to S as a whole

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4
Q

What are functionalists particularly interested in?

A

How religion meets functional prerequisites - things that are required in order for `s to function successfully

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5
Q

What did Durkheim say the main function of religion is?

A

To ÷ the world into the sacred + profane

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6
Q

What does Durkheim mean by ‘sacred’?

A

Things which members of S regard as special, extraordinary in some way
Doesn’t necessarily mean something supernatural

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7
Q

What does Durkheim mean by ‘profane’?

A

Everyday life, non-sacred aspects of life

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8
Q

Why is it important for Durkheim for us to divide the world into the sacred and the profane?

A

Creates value consensus
Ensuring agreement on what = sacred
Agreement then contributes to social solidarity + collective conscience

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9
Q

Explain Durkheim’s study of Totemism

A

Australian Aborigines + Totemism
Each clan (or S) had totem - displayed symbol (plant/animal) that = sacred to that clan
When worship their totem, symbolically worship their S
Religion performs important function - promoting sense of belonging to S
Reinforces v consensus + collective conscience

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10
Q

Give a strength of Durkheim’s study of Totemism

A

Study = useful for understanding the function of religion in small scale S

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11
Q

Give a weakness of Durkheim’s study of Totemism

A

Can findings be applied to larger S with religious pluralism + diversity in beliefs?

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12
Q

How would Postmodernists criticise Durkheim’s study of Totemism?

A

Questions whether there could be a collective conscience in a contemporary societies which is diverse + fragmented

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13
Q

When talking about Malinowski, what is the first thing that you talk about?

A

Talk about how he studied individual functions of religion

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14
Q

Who did Malinowski write later than?

What can be argued about this?

A

Later than Durkheim

Could be argued to be more relevant today than Durkheim

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15
Q

Does Malinowski agree with Durkheim?

A

Agrees that religion = important for maintaining social solidarity
BUT argues that religion developed as a response to psychological needs of individuals
During times of uncertainty

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16
Q

What research did Malinowski base his ideas on?

A

Research in the Trobriand Islands

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17
Q

How was religion used in the Trobriand Islands?

A

Under 2 possible circumstances:

  1. Coping mechanism during times of anxiety/uncertainty/tension (e.g events/ life crises)
  2. Times where the outcome of important activities are uncertain
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18
Q

What is the phrase that is associated with Malinowski’s work?

A

‘Hatching, Matching, Dispatching’

19
Q

How would Malinowski argue that religion reinforces stability in the following life crises/ instability and changes:

a) Birth
b) Marriage
c) Death

A

a) Children get christened - make sure that they go to heaven when they die
b) Means that it is a socially approved relationship, feel secure
c) Religion offers a form of support, comfort/ closure + relief

20
Q

Give an example of when Trobriand Islanders use religion as a form of control

A

Islanders perform religious rituals before going fishing in the ocean

21
Q

What method did Malinowski use?

A

Ethnography

22
Q

What is a strength of Malinowski’s work?

A

Malinowski’s ideas can be applied to real life examples such as funeral rituals which help societies and individuals cope with death as a life crisis
Also be seen during terrorist attacks

23
Q

What is a weakness to Malinowski’s work?

A

If we assume that secularisation has happened, then does Malinowski’s argument still apply today?
Today people turn to family/friends/coincilers

24
Q

When did Parsons write?

A

1950s - much later

Arguably more relevant than Durkheim/ Malinowski

25
Q

Which Functionalist(s) does Parsons agree with?

A

Parsons uses both Durkheim’s + Malinowski’s ideas

Agrees religion = used to cope with unforeseen events + life crises

26
Q

What does Parsons argue that religion gives an individual?

A

Gives individuals a sense of meaning
In turn helps them to understand/ cope with tragedies
e.g. death, job loss, natural disasters

27
Q

How does Parsons argue that religion helps maintain social order?

A

Religion = used to make sense of tragedies
These tragedies otherwise could undermine our faith in S
Which in turn would prevent social order
Religion helps make sense of these circumstances
Religion helps individuals cope with change
- ‘Mechanism of adjustment’

28
Q

What concept does parsons use to explain how religion helps individuals cope with change?

A

‘Mechanism of adjustment’

29
Q

What does Parsons argue that religion provides Society with?

A

S’s core values - central beliefs about what is right/ wrong

30
Q

How could you criticise Parsons idea that religion promotes ‘societies core values’?

A

= more religious pluralism + diversity in S today

e.g. Sharia Law - law under Islam, some of the conflict with UK law (the way they view women)

31
Q

How could secularisation be used to criticise Parsons?

A

Do people still turn to religion as a source of meaning + explanation?
For events such as natural disasters, death of child etc.

32
Q

How is Bellah different to other Functionalists?

A

NEO-FUNCTIONALIST
Provides more contemporary Functionalst perspective
Arguably = more applicable to today’s S

33
Q

What was Bellah interested in?

A

Understanding how value consensus + social solidarity could continue in societies which = multi-faith (lots of religious diversity)
e.g. America

34
Q

When did Bella write?

A

1967

35
Q

What did Bellah find out when looking at America?

A

That although they have different religious beliefs, = united by their faith in America

36
Q

What does Bellah mean by ‘civil religion’?

A

How people are united by their faith in their country e.g. America

37
Q

What is a result of civil religion?

A

Maintains social solidarity + v consensus in a countries which = multi-faith
Done though use of collective rituals
e.g. 4th of July celebrations, the pledge of allegiance in classrooms (USA)

38
Q

How could Bellah’s ideas be challenged today?

A

It is currently being tested with the Trump situation?

39
Q

Give 2 examples of civil religion in the UK

A

The Royal Family (although not every one agrees with it)

The Olympics

40
Q

What does Functionalism help us to understand + explain? (3)

A
  1. Highlights +ve functions religion performs
  2. Shows ways religion = used by individuals + S to help it function
  3. Emphasises the social nature of religion
41
Q

What huge issue does Functionalism ignore?

A

That religion creates conflict
Particularly when there = more religious diversity
e.g. Catholics + Protestants in N. Ireland

42
Q

How useful is Functionalism in helping us understand society today?

A

Civil religion can be applied to Americanism today + in the U.K
If secularisation has occurred then religion = much less important source of stability/solidarity

43
Q

Why would Postmodernists argue that the Functionalist view of religion isn’t very useful in today’s society?

A

P: religious pluralism has increased, therefore arguments about collective conscience may not be relevant today

44
Q

When did Durkheim write?

A

1895

Sociology Beliefs (24 decks)

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