Discuss the functionalist view of religion‚ including both the functions and dysfunction it may serve. Functionalists believe that religion is a conservative force‚ and an institution which adds to the requirements of society. That religion fulfills basic human needs by providing framework within which society may function in harmony; religion contributes to society’s equilibrium. They say it ultimately operates as an agency of socialization. Durkheim (1912) said that all societies are separated
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Referring to Herbert J. Gans’ use of social functionalist theory in his essay titled “Uses of the Underclass in America”‚ four of the thirteen manifest and latent functions Gans applied to the problem of poverty could also be applied to the issue of Islamophobia in America. The first (manifest) function of Islamophobia emphasizes that the existence of Islamophobia supplies popular culture villains. Because many within American society oftentimes associate real-world terrorism with Muslims (at a
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Functionalist theory of religion Assess the view of functionalists that religion serves to reinforce social integration. Functionalists see society as like an organism‚ with basic needs that it must meet to survive. They suggest that each institution performs certain functions to maintain the social system by meeting a need. Society’s most basic need is for social order and solidarity as they believes social solidarity is necessary for society to hold together as without it‚ individual selfishness
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The functional perspective on deviance maintains that our society is a system of social institutions‚ that work together to make up whole. These institutions are based on our needs and balance each other to give our norms and morals significance. If some part of this whole is not useful‚ it will disappear; and in the same way if something is absent‚ but needed‚ it will be created. Deviant behavior is necessary in our society‚ because it provides justification for our norms. If there were no deviance
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This period in history reflected the principles of functionalist theory‚ which believed that each part of society served a place and contributed to the stability of society as a whole. The post WWII generation was predisposed to resonate with the theories of Robert K Merton‚ a sociologist who emphasized middle range theory‚ criticized grand theorists in sociology‚ and exemplified functionalist theory. The “organic” metaphor in functionalist theory looked at society as a giant organism that could
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This essay is an attempt to discuss the problems political parties in Zambia are facing by using structural-functionalist and their contributions to liberal democracy. The academic piece shall begin by defining the key terms; those being‚ structural-functionalist‚ political parties and liberal democracy. This will be followed by a comprehensive discussion of political parties‚ focused on‚ with examples‚ the Zambian scene. Lastly‚ a brief conclusion based on the discussion will be outlined. “Functionalism
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universe of meaning’ for people today: For many people today‚ religion no longer acts as a shared universe of meaning‚ which means for that religion no longer‚ has importance. There is variety of reasons for this. However‚ some disagree as they belief religion still has importance to many and it is needed for society to function properly. Post-modernists argue that religion doesn’t act as a shared universe of meaning anymore‚ this is a result of globalisation. This is supported by lyotards
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Outline and assess the functionalists’ theory of social inequalities The Functionalist theory believes that Social stratification‚ including age inequality‚ is necessary for the functioning of a healthy society. Their perspective of social inequality is the belief that "inequality is not only inevitable but also necessary for the smooth functioning of society’. Functionalists believe that Age has become more important in modern society; age provides the function of social integration leading to
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FUNCTIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON GROUP DECISION MAKING WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON GROUP DECISION-MAKING Functional Perspective on Group Decision-making is a theory developed by Randy Hirokawa and Dennis Gouran. Miller(2011) stated that both of them have an interest in small group communication‚ so they worked it put and produced this theory. They seek to understand how communication processes contribute to decision making and problem solving in groups. They come to a question‚ “Why do some
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Asses the functionalist view that religion benefits both society as a whole and its individual members. 33marks The functionalist view of religion stems from Durkheim who said that society is like the human body. He argued that that religion reinforces collective conscience that leads to a unity within society as a whole and that each member of the society is joined in solidarity‚ therefore it acts as glue. It does so by reinforcing social norms and values that bring the community together. It
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