Malinowski: Psychological role of religion Flashcards
Religion promotes solidarity
Agrees that religion promotes solidarity - does this by promoting psychological functions of religion for the individual
Cope with stress
Helps people cope with stress that undermines social solidarity e.g. situations which make you anxious, uncertain or tense, threaten social life
Trobrial islanders: studied
Studied trobrial islanders, outcome is uncertain - had an animistic faith system ( their fate + experiences were determined by spirits )
Trobrial islanders: Livelihood
Livelihood was fishing, which had the potential to be dangerous ( especially in the ocean ) - less chance of survival/success, always accompanied by ‘ canoe magic ‘ to ensure safe expedition
Trobrial islanders: religious rituals
Before fishing, increases sense of confidence in the fisherman ( safety out of their hands ), helps retain a sense of order - as those left behind accept fate of fisherman ( down to the spirits )
Trobrial islanders: Unifies the group
It helps them come to terms with bereavement-sense of shared loss + also acceptance
God of the gaps
Rituals serve as ‘ god of the gaps ‘ - it feels gaps in human beings control over the world e.g. not being able to control the outcome of a fishing trip
Life crisis
Birth, puberty, marriage + death are potentially disruptive
Religion minimises this potential disruption - death, funeral rituals reinforce solitary among survivors
Immorality gives comfort to the bereaved by denying the fact of death
Evaluation: Other institutions
There are now other institutions + places that are used to help people cope with life events e.g. the family, doctors and counselling
Evaluation: questioning religion
When people experience bad things, do they not question religion, rather than reinforce their commitment to it
