2.2 Functionalists & New Right on Class Inequality

Question 1

(functionalism) Parsons says social class stratification reflects what?

Answer 1

value consensus

Question 2

(functionalism) according to Parsons why do those creating wealth and jobs deserve higher rewards?

Answer 2

they contribute to the smooth running of society

Question 3

(functionalism) Davis and Moore say social stratification exists in all societies, it is therefore what?

Answer 3

functional

Question 4

(functionalism) Davis and Moore say social stratification ensures what?

Answer 4

role allocation and performance

Question 5

(functionalism) Davis and Moore - why does stratification allocate the right people to the most important roles?

Answer 5

by offering higher rewards motivating competition the most able then achieve these roles

Question 6

(functionalism) Davis and Moore - why does stratification ensure people perform roles to the highest standard?

Answer 6

high rewards motivate people to work to their best ability

Question 7

(functionalism) Davis and Moore - what determines the importance of a role?

Answer 7

it’s functional uniqueness and degree of dependence on others

Question 8

(functionalism) Davis and Moore - when is a position functionally unique? give an example:

Answer 8

when few can perform it

e.g. surgeon they therefore deserve higher rewards

Question 9

(functionalism) Davis and Moore - why is a CEO functionally unique in relation to their degree of dependence?

Answer 9

they have a lot of employees lower down who are reliant upon them

Question 10

(functionalism) D and M criticism (Tumin) - what is it difficult to determine?

Answer 10

the importance of a position

Question 11

(functionalism) D and M criticism (Tumin) - give an example of how the importance of a position is hard to determine:

Answer 11

nurses disinfecting the theatre might be just as important as the surgeon in saving lives

Question 12

(functionalism) D and M criticism (Tumin) - Davis and Moore assume few people have the talent e.g. to be doctors, but what is the reality?

Answer 12

many have the talent but not the opportunity

Question 13

(functionalism) D and M criticism (Tumin) - what do Davis and Moore assume about society?

Answer 13

it is meritocratic

but in reality not everyone has equal life chances

Question 14

(functionalism) D and M criticism (Tumin) - Davis and Moore assume training is a sacrifice when in reality it can be what?

Answer 14

a freedom e.g. moving out, going to uni, studying a subject you enjoy

Question 15

(functionalism) D and M criticism (Tumin) - inequality creates what?

Answer 15

mistrust and resentment

Question 16

(functionalism) D and M criticism (Tumin) - davis and moore assume what is the only motivator?

Answer 16

money

Question 17

(New right) Saunder’s says a society based on equality would only be possible with what?

Answer 17

force e.g. threat of imprisonment to ensure people did jobs to their best ability

Question 18

(New right) Saunders says inequality is desirable and functional, why?

Answer 18

to motivate people to compete

Question 19

(New right) criticism of Saunders - why is it mistaken to assume capitalism offers more freedom?

Answer 19

slavery based on free market capitalism - oppressive

Question 20

(New right) Murray - what have overgenerous welfare benefits created?

Answer 20

an underclass and a dependency culture

Question 21

(New right) Murray - what has there been increase in?

Answer 21

unemployed people who don’t want to work

single mothers married to the state unable to adequately socialise children

Question 22

(New right) what is Murray’s solution?

Answer 22

reduce benefits forcing disadvantaged groups to support themselves

Question 23

(New right) criticisms of Murray - what have studies shown about attitudes of the underclass?

Answer 23

few have the attitudes murray described

many want to go out and work

Question 24

(New right) what have Murray’s ideas influenced?

Answer 24

government policy

Question 25

(New right) criticism of Murray - who does he blame?

Answer 25

the victims

Question 26

(New right) criticism of Murray - who do Marxists and Weberian sociologists see to blame?

Answer 26

the capitalist system creating inequality and poverty

Question 27

(New right) Criticism - Wilkinson and Pickett found a correlation between high levels of inequality and what?

Answer 27

high levels of social and health issues

Question 28

(New right) Criticism - Wilkinson and Pickett say high income inequality means what for those at the bottom?

Answer 28

low status

affecting physical and mental wellbeing

Question 29

(New right) Criticism - Wilkinson and Pickett say low status leads to shame, encouraging what?

Answer 29

crime

Question 30

(New right) Criticism - Wilkinson and Pickett say high levels of inequality are not what?

Answer 30

functional

societies with less inequality function better