Functionalist Flashcards
What do functionalist believe religion is
A conservative force
They maintain religion
Prevent change
Why is religion a conservative force
Maintains social stability
Reinforces tradition & culture
Does not encourage social change
What are the functions of religion? Functionalist
Socialisation
Integration, feel part of a community
Preventing anomie, prevent the breakdown of norms and values
What does Durkheim say about religion
Religion promotes emotional security
Reinforces group identity
Religion prevents anomie
The totem provides emotional stability in times of threat
Social solidarity
Collective conscience
What is collective effervescence
A clan participâtes in spiritual rituals, they become motivated to their religion by watching others enacting religious rituals
How does Hajj promote collective conscience
Muslim pilgrimage
A symbol of their belief
More loyalty to their group
What did Malinowski say about religion
Death reinforces a feeling of solidarity amongst survivors
Religion is a source of comfort
Religion performs psychological functions, helps them cope with stress
What study proves Malinowski point of religion exists because of death
Fishermen
A number of prayer rituals they performed before they went out in open sea
Would not perform them when sailing in the safety of the lagoon
What did parsons say about religion
Créâtes central values through teachings of sacred texts = sacred moral codes eg Ten Commandments
Agent of secondary socialisation- teachers values of culture = value consensus and creates social order
Primary source of meaning, helps people deal with life crisis “why do the good suffer”
What did Bellah say about religion
Civil religion = how nationalism has become a belief system like religion
Performs the same functions as religion by uniting people
Through shared beliefs, experiences and rituals
What did stark and bainbridge say about religion
Religion as a supernatural compensator
Makes up for a type of loss
Gives hope things might get better
Makes up for suffering
What did Swanson say about religion
Helps to maintain social order of society
Supports the dominant system eg totems- clans
What are the criticisms of functionalism
Sécularisation = decline in religion
Religion isn’t only used in times of crisis
There is more than one religion, how does that enforce social solidarity
