Key Concepts Flashcards
Function
The contribution made by a part to the maintenance of the system or society as a whole.
Dysfunction
When the consequence of a social activity/ institution impedes the workings of another social activity/ institution.
Functional Prerequsites
The basic needs that must be met if society is to survive.
Social solidarity
Social unity which results from the bonds that draw members of society together.
Value Consensus
Agreement about what is important & what is considered to be accepted behaviour in a given society.
Civil Religion
A more secular version or religion which involves the worship of & attachment of sacred meaning to society itself e.g. Americanism
Totemism
Primitive religion which involves the worship of certain objects seem to have a widespread influence over tribal life.
Conservative Force
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.
Collective Consciousness
The shared norms, values, beliefs & knowledge that make social life + cooperation between individuals possible
Core Values
The central values in society.
Anomie
A state of normlessness: chaos. This must be avoided by continued socialisation & social control to maintain the status-quo (which is harmonious & functional).
Economic Base
The way factories which produce profit are owned. This pattern determine’s the way society’s institutions are organised.
Superstructure
The non-wealth creating institutions in a society which gain support for the position of the rc.
Repressive State Apparatus (RSAs)
Institutions such as the police force and the army which respond to revolutions with force to repress the proletariat.
Conflict
A clash of interests or ideas.
Oppression
To put down and subdue.
Repression
To keep down by an unjust use of power.
Exploitation
Any form of unfair abuse.
Bourgeoisie
Those who own the means of production.
Proletariat
Those who have to sell their labour in order to earn a living.
Hegemony
Ideological dominance and control over the Proletariat.
False Consciousness
Seeing the world in terms of ideology which represents a false picture of reality.
Spiritual Gin
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.
Opium of the People
Term used by Marx to describe the way religion is used by the wc to dull the pain of their exploitation.
Ideological State Apparatus (ISAs)
Agencies of the state which serve to spread the dominant ideology and justify the power of the dominant social class.
Social Control
Methods used to persuade/ force individuals to conform to the dominant social norms + values of a society.
Infrastructure
Another term for the economic base of society which determines and shapes the rest of society.
Endogamy
Marrying within the same social group/ class
Theodicy
A set of explanations.
Liberal
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.
Patriarchy
The concept which describes male dominance in society.
The Veil
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.
Liberated
To be released from oppressive behaviour or forces.
Patriarchal ideology
Ideas that support and justify male domination of society.
Radical
The feminist approach which argues religion reinforces patriarchy in a number of ways.
Repress
To put down and subordinate.
Oppress
To keep in subservience.
Triple Talaq
The Muslim practice whereby a husband can divorce their wife by repeating ‘I divorce you’ 3 times.
Modernity
The era before postmodernity where a belief in science was dominant.
Globalisation
The process by which the world has become increasingly interconnected resulting in the compression of time and space.
Religious Pluralism
Increased diversity of religious beliefs and practices and the co-existence of different religions.
Spiritual Shoppers
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.
Metanarrative
A grand, over-arching theory which attempts to explain everything.
Individualism
The process by which individuals place increased importance on the self over being part of a group.
Disembedded
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.
Postmodernity
The era which postmodernists argue we now live in characterised by diversity and choice.
Crisis of Meaing
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.
Personal Choice
This has increased in a postmodern world, and so people pick and choose religious beliefs which suit their lifestyles.
Calvinism
The religion which Weber based his research on.
Sacred Canopy
The idea that religion offers a protective shield as a way of understanding difficult and tragic life events.
Verstehen
in relation to Weber’s research
Weber wanted to empathise and understand the position of Calvinists to truly understand the meanings behind their actions.
Ascetic Lifestyle
The Calvinists lived without any luxuries or excess, only spending the bare minimum needed to survive and saving the rest.
Universe of Meaning
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.
Predestination
The Calvinist belief that their position in the afterlife has already been decided for them.
Enlightenment Era
The change from belief in religion to a belief in science.
Conservative Force
Religion is viewed as a way of keeping society the same, maintaining traditional values.
Revolutionary Force
Religion is viewed as a tool which can be used to create social change.
Source of Stability
Religion maintains social order and keeps society running smoothly.
Source of Conflict
Religion creates disagreement between social groups leading to disorder and inequality.
