FUNCTIONALISM-DURKHEIM

Question 1

how do functionalists see society?

Answer 1

society is like an organism with basic needs that need to be met in order to survive. the basic needs are social order and social solidarity (interdependence between individuals in society) so it’s members can cooperate. order is possible through the existence of value consensus (at set of shared norms of values which societies members live by) without this people would perform their own self desires and society will disintegrate

Question 2

what is social solidarity?

Answer 2

independence between individuals in society

Question 3

what is value consensus

Answer 3

a set of shared norms and values by which societies members live by

Question 4

what structural function does Durkheim believe religion performs

Answer 4

believes that religion performs an important structural function of binding people together- known as social integration

Question 5

what does Durkheim believe are the two key features of religion

Answer 5

is the distinction between the sacred and the profane

Question 6

what does sacred mean

Answer 6

things that are set apart from ordinary life access to them is restricted e.g. holy ceremonies

Question 7

what does Profane mean?

Answer 7

ordinary

Question 8

what is totemism

Answer 8

collective practice

Question 9

how does Durkheim test social solidarity

Answer 9

Durkheim used studies of an Arunta, an aboriginal Australian tribe with a clan system. Arunta clans perform rituals involving the worship of sacred totems. totem=clans identity. shared totem reinforce the groups solidarity and a sense of belonging as they actually worshipping society itself. for Durkheim regular rituals/sacred symbols reinforce collective conscience. participating in rituals brings people together creating a single moral community

Question 10

what is collective conscience

Answer 10

shared norms and beliefs that make cooperation between individuals possible without this society would disintegrate

Question 11

what does Durkheim believe are cognitive functions of religion

Answer 11

religion aids our ability to think conceptually- holy books/texts to give the basics of language and thought

Question 12

evaluation of Durkheim’s theory?

Answer 12

• Durkheim’s theory of totemism uses secondary data, other people’s data this means that it may not be applicable to what he is trying to find.
• postmodernists would argue Durkheim’s theories are ideas of the past, society has become increasingly diverse and has no single shared value system.
• Giddens and Beck add that individuals have become free to pursue their own self interests- known as the individualisation thesis