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situations of emotional stress which could threaten society
o Eg. 1. Birth & death is surrounded by ritual
2. Events which can't be fully controlled - Tribroland Islanders
a) fishing in the lagoon - safe
b) fishing at sea - dangerous
o Used data from non-literate societies to develop his theories
o Sees religion as reinforcing social norms & values - like Durkheim
o When you need something to help you cope with what you don't
understand
o People turn to prayer/ God if they have to deal with something
challenging - Prayer helps fear to be coped with more easily
o Helps to deal with life crises (birth/marriage/death)
o Religious belief & ritual give meaning to these uncertainties -
create bonds of support between individuals
o Eg. Funerals -help to re-integrate the social group which is
threatened by the death of a member
Weddings - situation where a sacred feeling is given to challenge
relationship
o Rituals reduce anxiety by providing confidence & a feeling of
control
o Economic insecurity - religious ritual is often associated with
threats to economic survival
o His argument - religion promotes social solidarity by dealing with
situations of emotional stress that threaten the stability of society
o Religion was primarily a response to the psychological pressures on
individuals & society as a result of anxiety & tension
Criticisms
o Exaggerates importance of religious rituals in helping people cope
with stress & uncertainty
o A particular function/effect of religion sometimes has been mistaken
for a feature of religion in general
Talcott Parsons
o Argued that human actions directed & controlled by norms provided by
the social system
o Norms which direct action are affected by the values & beliefs of
the cultural system
Eg. Norms in Western society are expressions of the value of