Psychological Functions

• Malinowski (1954): agrees with Durkheim that religion promotes solidarity but it does so by performing psychological functions - helping them deal with emotional stress undermining social solidarity
• Malinowski (1954) 1st situation utilising psychological functions:

  Where the outcome is important but uncontrollable and uncertain.

  In lagoon fishing there is no religious ritual. In Ocean Fishing there is.

  Malinowski sees these rituals as 'god of the gaps'
• Malinowski (1954) argues that religion provides an illusion of control over nature and life events.
• Malinowski (1954) 2nd situation utilising psychological functions:

  at times of life crises where religion helps to minimise disruption. At a funeral, the ritual helps to form solidarity throughout mourners