Unit 3 SCLY3 - Beliefs in Society; Global Development; Mass Media; Power and Politics
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Beliefs in Society Flashcards and Notes
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Unit 3 SCLY3 - Beliefs in Society; Global Development; Mass Media; Power and Politics
Institution
AQA
Revision flashcards for the Beliefs in Society module of AQA Sociology A-level
125 Quizlet cards created using various textbooks
Includes definitions, outlines, case studies, sociologists and evaluations
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Unit 3 SCLY3 - Beliefs in Society; Global Development; Mass Media; Power and Politics
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Key
EV. = evaluation
Ppt obsv = participant observations
Substantive definitions
Focus on the content or substance of religious belief. They are exclusive, drawing a clear line
between religious and non-religious beliefs.
Substantive definitions EV.
- They conform to a widespread view of religion as a belief in God or the supernatural
- Accused of Western bias by excluding religions such as Buddhism, which do not believe in
God as such.
Weber, 1905
Defines religion as a belief in superior or supernatural power that is above nature and cannot
be explained scientifically.
Functional definitions
Defines religion in terms of the social and psychological functions it performs for the
individual and for society. They are inclusive, not distinguishing between religious and non-
religious belief.
Durkheim, 1915
Defines religion in terms of the contribution it makes to social integration and value
consensus.
Yinger, 1970
Identifies functions that religion performs for individuals, such as answering 'ultimate
questions' about the meaning of life and afterlife.
Functional definitions EV.
, + As they are inclusive this allows for the consideration of the wide range of beliefs and
practices that perform functions
+ No Western bias
- Some identified functions of religion cannot be used to define religion e.g. integration is not
the literal definition of religion.
Constructionist definitions
Social constructionists take an interactionalist approach that focuses on how members of
society themselves define religion. They argue that one definition cannot be applied to all
instances and types of religion, so we as individuals define religion ourselves through our
behaviour and beliefs. Inclusive as religion is defined by the meanings people themselves
give to it.
Aldridge, 2013
Illustrated that while Scientology is a religion for its followers, several governments have
denied its legal status as a religion and sought to ban it. This shows that definitions of religion
can be contested and are influenced by who has power.
Constructionist definitions EV.
- Defining religion differently for each individual means that the nature of religion cannot be
generalised.
Functionalist View of Religion
Religion is a cultural universal that helps fulfil essential functions for society giving it
meaning and purpose, uniting its members and providing stability.
Durkheim (functional + cog.)
•Durkheim argues religion helps to maintain value consensus
•A key feature of religion is its fundamental distinction between the sacred (things which
inspire feelings of awe and wonder) and the profane (ordinary things with little significance).
A religion is never simply a set of beliefs, but also involves definite rituals or practices in
relation to the sacred.
•The significance of these rituals, for Durkheim, is the social unity it stimulates. •Durkheim
believed that the essence of religion could be found by studying it's simplest form - totemism.
Through studying the Arunta (Australian Aboriginals) he found that the worship of the sacred
totem pole reinforces group solidarity.
•Sacred symbols represent the collective conscious in society helping to maintain social
integration as well as reinforcing the power of society.
Durkheim and Mauss
•Religion is the origin of the concepts and categories we need for reasoning, understanding
and communicating.
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