Functionalism Flashcards
What should you not do when talking about Functionalists?
DON’T GROUP THEM TOGETHER!
They all say something different
*Only exception is in a 20 marks essay - needs a general conclusion
What definition of religion do functionalist follow?
Functional definition
Focus on what religion does for S + individuals
How do functionalists see religion?
An institution that contributes to S as a whole
What are functionalists particularly interested in?
How religion meets functional prerequisites - things that are required in order for `s to function successfully
What did Durkheim say the main function of religion is?
To ÷ the world into the sacred + profane
What does Durkheim mean by ‘sacred’?
Things which members of S regard as special, extraordinary in some way
Doesn’t necessarily mean something supernatural
What does Durkheim mean by ‘profane’?
Everyday life, non-sacred aspects of life
Why is it important for Durkheim for us to divide the world into the sacred and the profane?
Creates value consensus
Ensuring agreement on what = sacred
Agreement then contributes to social solidarity + collective conscience
Explain Durkheim’s study of Totemism
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
Give a strength of Durkheim’s study of Totemism
Study = useful for understanding the function of religion in small scale S
Give a weakness of Durkheim’s study of Totemism
Can findings be applied to larger S with religious pluralism + diversity in beliefs?
How would Postmodernists criticise Durkheim’s study of Totemism?
Questions whether there could be a collective conscience in a contemporary societies which is diverse + fragmented
When talking about Malinowski, what is the first thing that you talk about?
Talk about how he studied individual functions of religion
Who did Malinowski write later than?
What can be argued about this?
Later than Durkheim
Could be argued to be more relevant today than Durkheim
Does Malinowski agree with Durkheim?
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
What research did Malinowski base his ideas on?
Research in the Trobriand Islands
How was religion used in the Trobriand Islands?
Under 2 possible circumstances:
- Coping mechanism during times of anxiety/uncertainty/tension (e.g events/ life crises)
- Times where the outcome of important activities are uncertain
What is the phrase that is associated with Malinowski’s work?
‘Hatching, Matching, Dispatching’
How would Malinowski argue that religion reinforces stability in the following life crises/ instability and changes:
a) Birth
b) Marriage
c) Death
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
Give an example of when Trobriand Islanders use religion as a form of control
Islanders perform religious rituals before going fishing in the ocean
What method did Malinowski use?
Ethnography
What is a strength of Malinowski’s work?
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
What is a weakness to Malinowski’s work?
If we assume that secularisation has happened, then does Malinowski’s argument still apply today?
Today people turn to family/friends/coincilers
When did Parsons write?
1950s - much later
Arguably more relevant than Durkheim/ Malinowski
Which Functionalist(s) does Parsons agree with?
Parsons uses both Durkheim’s + Malinowski’s ideas
Agrees religion = used to cope with unforeseen events + life crises
What does Parsons argue that religion gives an individual?
Gives individuals a sense of meaning
In turn helps them to understand/ cope with tragedies
e.g. death, job loss, natural disasters
How does Parsons argue that religion helps maintain social order?
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’
What concept does parsons use to explain how religion helps individuals cope with change?
‘Mechanism of adjustment’
What does Parsons argue that religion provides Society with?
S’s core values - central beliefs about what is right/ wrong
How could you criticise Parsons idea that religion promotes ‘societies core values’?
= 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)
How could secularisation be used to criticise Parsons?
Do people still turn to religion as a source of meaning + explanation?
For events such as natural disasters, death of child etc.
How is Bellah different to other Functionalists?
NEO-FUNCTIONALIST
Provides more contemporary Functionalst perspective
Arguably = more applicable to today’s S
What was Bellah interested in?
Understanding how value consensus + social solidarity could continue in societies which = multi-faith (lots of religious diversity)
e.g. America
When did Bella write?
1967
What did Bellah find out when looking at America?
That although they have different religious beliefs, = united by their faith in America
What does Bellah mean by ‘civil religion’?
How people are united by their faith in their country e.g. America
What is a result of civil religion?
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)
How could Bellah’s ideas be challenged today?
It is currently being tested with the Trump situation?
Give 2 examples of civil religion in the UK
The Royal Family (although not every one agrees with it)
The Olympics
What does Functionalism help us to understand + explain? (3)
- Highlights +ve functions religion performs
- Shows ways religion = used by individuals + S to help it function
- Emphasises the social nature of religion
What huge issue does Functionalism ignore?
That religion creates conflict
Particularly when there = more religious diversity
e.g. Catholics + Protestants in N. Ireland
How useful is Functionalism in helping us understand society today?
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
Why would Postmodernists argue that the Functionalist view of religion isn’t very useful in today’s society?
P: religious pluralism has increased, therefore arguments about collective conscience may not be relevant today
When did Durkheim write?
1895
