Chapter 2: A Functionalist Approach to Popular Culture

1. Chapter 2: A Functionalist Approach to Popular Culture Robert Wonser Fall 2011

2. Theoretical takes on Popular Culture Functionalist: culture �functions� as the social glue that generates solidarity and cohesion within human groups and societies. Contemporary collective rituals�hs football games, parades, pep rallies�serve to forge emotional bonds of recognition, identity, and trust within communities and social groups Allows strangers to communicate with each other in public Describes the uses of mass entertainment (their functions) in generating solidarity in large anonymous communities

3. Emile Durkheim Following Durkheim, ALL culture (including popular) is founded on non-rational foundations and is upheld through the rituals and the distinction between the sacred and the profane The scared is dangerous and extremely important; it must be approached seriously, respectfully and with due preparation The profane are the rest of the world, all other things you can deal with matter-of-factly, with whatever mood you wish and for whatever purpose Rituals are procedures by which people must conduct themselves in the presence of things that they believe to be scared. Ordinary non-ritualized behavior is how you behave in the presence of the profane All of these are inherently collective; they need other people, other members of your group