Malinowski

Question 1

Psychological functions

Answer 1

1. Religion helps individuals through crises in life. Birth, puberty, marriage and death are potentially disruptive and involve religious ritual. e.g. religion offers an explanation for death, provides meaning and comforts the bereaved. It allows people to move on with their life and for society to continue to function.
2. Religion gives people a sense of control or comfort when facing events that may be dangerous and unpredictable.
3. Religion helps people to cope with situations of emotional stress that may threaten social solidarity. In this way religion fulfils an emotional need for security as people can come together to reaffirm their collective beliefs in times of crisis. Eg group of people coming together after a tragedy or natural disaster.

Question 2

A03

Answer 2

Religion has little impact on lives of most people

other methods of socialisation do