Key Concepts

Question 1

Function

Answer 1

The contribution made by a part to the maintenance of the system or society as a whole.

Question 2

Dysfunction

Answer 2

When the consequence of a social activity/ institution impedes the workings of another social activity/ institution.

Question 3

Functional Prerequsites

Answer 3

The basic needs that must be met if society is to survive.

Question 4

Social solidarity

Answer 4

Social unity which results from the bonds that draw members of society together.

Question 5

Value Consensus

Answer 5

Agreement about what is important & what is considered to be accepted behaviour in a given society.

Question 6

Civil Religion

Answer 6

A more secular version or religion which involves the worship of & attachment of sacred meaning to society itself e.g. Americanism

Question 7

Totemism

Answer 7

Primitive religion which involves the worship of certain objects seem to have a widespread influence over tribal life.

Question 8

Conservative Force

Answer 8

Either when religion is used to defend political &a social arrangement as they are, or when it acts as a defence of ‘traditional’ values & ways of behaving.

Question 9

Collective Consciousness

Answer 9

The shared norms, values, beliefs & knowledge that make social life + cooperation between individuals possible

Question 10

Core Values

Answer 10

The central values in society.

Question 11

Anomie

Answer 11

A state of normlessness: chaos. This must be avoided by continued socialisation & social control to maintain the status-quo (which is harmonious & functional).

Question 12

Economic Base

Answer 12

The way factories which produce profit are owned. This pattern determine’s the way society’s institutions are organised.

Question 13

Superstructure

Answer 13

The non-wealth creating institutions in a society which gain support for the position of the rc.

Question 14

Repressive State Apparatus (RSAs)

Answer 14

Institutions such as the police force and the army which respond to revolutions with force to repress the proletariat.

Question 15

Conflict

Answer 15

A clash of interests or ideas.

Question 16

Oppression

Answer 16

To put down and subdue.

Question 17

Repression

Answer 17

To keep down by an unjust use of power.

Question 18

Exploitation

Answer 18

Any form of unfair abuse.

Question 19

Bourgeoisie

Answer 19

Those who own the means of production.

Question 20

Proletariat

Answer 20

Those who have to sell their labour in order to earn a living.

Question 21

Hegemony

Answer 21

Ideological dominance and control over the Proletariat.

Question 22

False Consciousness

Answer 22

Seeing the world in terms of ideology which represents a false picture of reality.

Question 23

Spiritual Gin

Answer 23

Term used by Lenin in which religion is seen as a form of escapism which numbs and blinds people’s awareness to the reality around them.

Question 24

Opium of the People

Answer 24

Term used by Marx to describe the way religion is used by the wc to dull the pain of their exploitation.

Question 25

Ideological State Apparatus (ISAs)

Answer 25

Agencies of the state which serve to spread the dominant ideology and justify the power of the dominant social class.

Question 26

Social Control

Answer 26

Methods used to persuade/ force individuals to conform to the dominant social norms + values of a society.

Question 27

Infrastructure

Answer 27

Another term for the economic base of society which determines and shapes the rest of society.

Question 28

Endogamy

Answer 28

Marrying within the same social group/ class

Question 29

Theodicy

Answer 29

A set of explanations.

Question 30

Liberal

Answer 30

The feminist approach which recognises that there has been a march of progress towards gender equality and that religion can be seen as liberating for some women.

Question 31

Patriarchy

Answer 31

The concept which describes male dominance in society.

Question 32

The Veil

Answer 32

An article of clothing with religious significance in Islam, Christianity and Judaism. There is a debate about whether this is oppressive or liberating for women.

Question 33

Liberated

Answer 33

To be released from oppressive behaviour or forces.

Question 34

Patriarchal ideology

Answer 34

Ideas that support and justify male domination of society.

Question 35

Radical

Answer 35

The feminist approach which argues religion reinforces patriarchy in a number of ways.

Question 36

Repress

Answer 36

To put down and subordinate.

Question 37

Oppress

Answer 37

To keep in subservience.

Question 38

Triple Talaq

Answer 38

The Muslim practice whereby a husband can divorce their wife by repeating ‘I divorce you’ 3 times.

Question 39

Modernity

Answer 39

The era before postmodernity where a belief in science was dominant.

Question 40

Globalisation

Answer 40

The process by which the world has become increasingly interconnected resulting in the compression of time and space.

Question 41

Religious Pluralism

Answer 41

Increased diversity of religious beliefs and practices and the co-existence of different religions.

Question 42

Spiritual Shoppers

Answer 42

The concept which describes how individuals have increased choice in the terms of religious beliefs leading them to see religion as a commodity which they consume.

Question 43

Metanarrative

Answer 43

A grand, over-arching theory which attempts to explain everything.

Question 44

Individualism

Answer 44

The process by which individuals place increased importance on the self over being part of a group.

Question 45

Disembedded

Answer 45

The process by which religion has relocated out of traditional locations such as churches and can now be experienced in other social settings or virtually through the internet.

Question 46

Postmodernity

Answer 46

The era which postmodernists argue we now live in characterised by diversity and choice.

Question 47

Crisis of Meaing

Answer 47

In a postmodern society, people have no source of morality or sense of meaning to their lives. In response to this, they turn to religion as a source of morality and meaning.

Question 48

Personal Choice

Answer 48

This has increased in a postmodern world, and so people pick and choose religious beliefs which suit their lifestyles.

Question 49

Calvinism

Answer 49

The religion which Weber based his research on.

Question 50

Sacred Canopy

Answer 50

The idea that religion offers a protective shield as a way of understanding difficult and tragic life events.

Question 51

Verstehen

in relation to Weber’s research

Answer 51

Weber wanted to empathise and understand the position of Calvinists to truly understand the meanings behind their actions.

Question 52

Ascetic Lifestyle

Answer 52

The Calvinists lived without any luxuries or excess, only spending the bare minimum needed to survive and saving the rest.

Question 53

Universe of Meaning

Answer 53

Religion provides an understanding of the world and helps individuals make sense of the world. This includes answering big questions about life, death and the existence of things like poverty.

Question 54

Predestination

Answer 54

The Calvinist belief that their position in the afterlife has already been decided for them.

Question 55

Enlightenment Era

Answer 55

The change from belief in religion to a belief in science.

Question 56

Conservative Force

Answer 56

Religion is viewed as a way of keeping society the same, maintaining traditional values.

Question 57

Revolutionary Force

Answer 57

Religion is viewed as a tool which can be used to create social change.

Question 58

Source of Stability

Answer 58

Religion maintains social order and keeps society running smoothly.

Question 59

Source of Conflict

Answer 59

Religion creates disagreement between social groups leading to disorder and inequality.