2. Learning Outcomes
• To understand the key concepts of Norris and Inglehart’s
‘Existential Security Theory’. (Grade D/E)
• To be able to explain why Norris and Inglehart believe that
religion is becoming more secular in Europe but not in
America. (Grade C/D)
• To be able to clearly evaluate the ‘Existential Security Theory’
(Grade A/B)
3. FILL IN THE MISSING WORDS RECAP
ACTIVITY
• Using your prior knowledge fill in the missing
words on the summary sheet.
4. Slugs to snails
• Colour in where you think your knowledge and understanding
for each objective is currently.
• As we progress through the lesson colour in the squares and
add a snail shell, as you become more confident and you
should hopefully go from slimy slugs to beautiful snails
5. Learning Outcome 1:
To understand the key concepts of Norris and Inglehart’s ‘Existential Security Theory’.
(Grade D/E)
• Norris and Inglehart reject religious market theory on the grounds that it
only applies to America and fails to explain variations in religiousity
between different societies.
E.g. International studies have found no evidence of the link between
religious choice and religious participation.
6. Learning Outcome 1:
To understand the key concepts of Norris and Inglehart’s ‘Existential Security Theory’.
(Grade D/E)
• They argue that the reason for such variations is not different
degrees of religious choice but different degrees on existential
security.
• What do they mean by this? (Page 37)
7. Learning Outcome 1:
To understand the key concepts of Norris and Inglehart’s ‘Existential Security Theory’.
(Grade D/E)
• Religion meets a need for security, and therefore societies
where people feel secure have a low level of demand for
religion.
POOR SOCIETIES RICH SOCIETIES
Fill in the table to show how security can affect religiousity in poor and rich
societies. Which society is more likely to remain religious?
8. Learning Outcome1:
To understand the key concepts of Norris and Inglehart’s ‘Existential Security Theory’.
(Grade D/E)
Norris and Inglehart note that global
population growth undermines the trend
towards secularisation. Why is this?
9. Questions
• Pupil 1- What is existential security?
• Pupil 2 - Are poor societies more likely to have higher or
lower religious participation rates? Why?
• Pupil 3- Are rich societies more likely to have higher or lower
religious participation rates? Why?
• Pupil 4- How do Norris and Inglehart believe that global
population growth undermines the trend towards
secularisation?
10. Slugs to snails
• Learning Outcome 1:
To understand the key concepts of Norris and Inglehart’s
‘Existential Security Theory’
• Colour in where you think your knowledge and understanding
for Lesson objective 1 is now.
• Has your understanding increased?
11. Learning Outcome 2: To be able to explain why Norris and Inglehart believe
that religion is becoming more secular in Europe but not in America. (Grade
C/D)
Europe Vs America
In Western Europe the trend is towards increasing
secularisation. Norris and Inglehart argue that this is not
surprising. Why is this?
By comparison with Europe, the United States remains more
religious. Why do Norris and Inglehart argue this is?
12. Learning Outcome 2: To be able to explain why Norris and Inglehart believe
that religion is becoming more secular in Europe but not in America. (Grade
C/D)
AMERICA EUROPE
Ryan and Amy look at the reasons why religion is declining in Europe.
Carla and Fiyin – – look at the reasons why religion is not declining in America.
13. Learning Outcome 2: To be able to explain why Stark and Bainbridge believe
that religion is declining in Europe but not in America. (Grade C/D)
EUROPE AMERICA
In Western Europe the trend is towards America remains much more religious.
increasing secularisation.
Norris and Inglehart argue that this is
Norris and Inglehart argue that this is not because America is also the most unequal
surprising, because these societies are of the rich societies.
among the most equal and secure in the
world. It has an inadequate welfare safety net
and ‘dog eat dog’ values.
Well developed welfare states offering
comprehensive health care, social This creates high levels of poverty and
services and state pensions. These reduce insecurity which creates a greater need
poverty and protect those at the bottom for religion.
from insecurity.
14. Slugs to snails
• Learning Outcome 2: To be able to explain why Norris and
Inglehart believe that religion is becoming more secular in
Europe but not in America. (Grade C/D)
• Colour in where you think your knowledge and understanding
for Lesson objective 2 is now.
• Has your understanding increased?
15. Learning Outcome 3: To be able to clearly evaluate the ‘Existential Security
Theory’ (Grade A/B)
Evaluation
Supporting evidence:
• Gill and Lundegaarde (2004)
Criticisms:
• Vasquez (2007)
Use page 38 of the text books to find supporting and criticising evidence for
Norris and Inglehart’s Existential Security Theory.
16. Learning Outcome 3: To be able to clearly evaluate the ‘Existential Security
Theory’ (Grade A/B)
The case of Uruguay
How does the case of Uruguay go against Stark and Bainbridge’s ‘Religious Market
theory’?
How does it support the existential security theory?
17. Slugs to snails
• Learning Outcome 3: To be able to clearly evaluate the
‘Existential Security Theory’ (Grade A/B)
• Colour in where you think your knowledge and understanding
for Learning Outcome 3 is now.
• Has your understanding increased?
