Functionalists on beliefs in society Flashcards
What is a positive function of religion argued by Durkheim?
Religion allows social integration by providing collective practices that unite communities.
How does religion allow social integration according to Durkheim?
Religion allows social integration through ‘sacred’ and ‘propane’ things.
Sacred things -have significant importance
Propane things-no special importance
->Durkheim argued that sacred things bring people together in collective worship reinforcing collective conscience in society e.g. pilgrimages.
Describe Durkheim’s study of Totenism
Totenism is Durkheim’s study of tribes in australia.
The totem pole is created by the tribe and contains symbols which are sacred to the tribe.
->The tribe worships the totem pole collectively, which acts as a social glue binding them together.
What are the evaluations of the function of social integration that religion performs?
- Postmodernists argues that contemporary society is too chaotic and no longer allows religion to act as a ‘collective conscience’.
- Other sociologists argues that this neglects conflict as religious pluralism can act as a source of conflict not solidarity e.g. many religions fighting over Jerusalem as their holy city.
What is the second function of religion argued by Malinowski?
Religion performs psychological functions for individuals and society according to Malinowski.
How does religion perform psychological functions according to Malinowski?
- Religion helps individuals cope with emotional stress and manage unexpected changes in their lives.
- this maintains social solidarity and reduces feelings of fear and anxiety that could challenge social order.
When does religion perform this psychological functions according to Malinowski?
Malinowski states that religion performs this function in:
- times of uncertainty, unsure of outcomes
- life crises’, disruptions in our life
What are the evaluations of the psychological function of religion?
+Funerals are still a norm in the UK, fulfils this psychological function- restores hope that loved ones are in heaven
-offers a rose tinted view of religion, neglects how it reinforces the power of dominant groups e.g. justice will be restored by God, prevents rebellion.
What is Parson’s view on the function of religion?
Parson believes that religion helps individuals cope with unforeseen events and uncomfortable outcome.
What are the 2 essential functions identified by Parson that religion performs in modern society?
- Religious beliefs provide norms and values that regulates individuals behaviour in society.
- these values are deeply ingrained in societyand may influence society’s laws- love thy neighbour, allows christians to respect other members in society.
- Provides a source of meaning as religion acts as a ‘mechanism of adjustment’ helping individuals adjust in difficult situations.
- does this by providing higher meanings and explanations to inequalities that individuals face e.g. poverty, in cases of death-heaven, murder-justice.
- social solidarity would weaken without religion
What is a disadvantage to these essential functions identified by Parson?
A disadvantage is it neglects secularisation as religion no longer provides the functions that Parson has stated.
What is the function of Religion identified by Robert Bellah?
Bellah argues that USA has created a ‘civil religion’-Americanism.
This is a belief system focused on american values, its role is to socially integrate Americans from all backgrounds.
How does the USA fulfil this function of a civil religion?
pledge of allegiance, singing the national anthem.
