Chapter 4 - Social Stratification

Question 0

What is power?

Answer 0

It refers to the degree to which individuals or groups can impose their will on others, with or without the consent of those others.

Question 1

What is egalitarian society?

Answer 1

A society in which all members are equal, such a society has never existed.

Question 2

What is social prestige?

Answer 2

Related to the amount of esteem or honour associated with social positions, qualities of individuals and styles of life.

Question 3

What is wealth?

Answer 3

Refers to material possessions defined as valuable in particular societies. It may include land, livestock, buildings, money and many other forms of property owned by the individual or social group.

Question 4

What is social inequality?

Answer 4

Refers to the existence of socially created inequalities, which could be based on race, gender, power and wealth.

Question 5

Factors leading to inequality?

Answer 5

1. Biological differences, it determines the way people are socially regarded. Age, sex, health, and sexual orientation.
2. Social inequalities is another factor. The existence of wealth, power and prestige in different levels in society.

Question 6

What is social stratification?

Answer 6

A particular form of social inequality. It refers to the presence of distinct social groups which are ranked one above the other in terms of factors such as prestige and wealth.

Those belonging in the same social group will have some awareness of common interests and identity.

Question 7

What is social mobility?

Answer 7

Moving from one class to another. 
Eg: such as working class to middle class.

Question 8

What is an open system?

Answer 8

Allows a high rate of social mobility.

Question 9

What is a closed system?

Answer 9

An individuals position is largely ascribed, little to no social mobility.

Question 10

What is the caste system in Hindu cultures?

Answer 10

An elaborate hierarchy, status determined at birth and no opportunity for social mobility.

Question 11

What is the apartheid system?

Answer 11

Racial distinction. Mainly in Africa, where black people have no rights.

Question 12

What is the class system?

Answer 12

Open system. It’s based on money and material possession. Such as in Western society.

Question 13

What is a subculture?

Answer 13

A tendency for members of each stratum to develop their own subculture, that is certain norms, values and attitudes are distinctive to them as a social group.

Question 14

In general how do Functionalists view social stratification?

Answer 14

Functionalist believe social stratification is necessary , because they assume that society has certain basic needs or functional perquisites, that must be met in order to survive. Therefore stratification, sees how far they perquisites are met.

Social structures contribute to the maintenance of the system and the existence of any given structure is explained by the means of its consequences which must be beneficial to the maintenance of the social order.

Question 15

What does Talcott Parsons say about stratification? - Functionalist

Answer 15

Order, stability and cooperation in society are based on value consensus. General agreement by members of society concerning what is good and worthwhile.

Those who perform successfully in terms of society’s values will be ranked highly and they will be likely to receive a variety of rewards. Because different societies have different value systems, the way of attaining a high position will vary from society to society.

Question 16

What does Parson say about American society in terms of stratification? - Functionalist

Answer 16

Parsons argued that American society places an importance on individual achievement and efficiency, and puts primary emphasis on productive activity within the economy.

Question 17

What does Parsons argument suggest about stratification? - Functionalist

Answer 17

Stratification is an inevitable part of all human societies. Stratification results in value consensus, which will result in the ranking of individuals in terms of common values.

It is a just and proper system, because it’s an expression of shared values. People in high society deserve their rewards because members of society place a high value on their skills and achievement.

Question 18

Does Parsons envision any conflict in stratified societies? - Functionalist

Answer 18

He did envision some class conflict, between those who achieved highly and those who didn’t, however he didn’t see this as a prominent issue because society is still based on a fair and just system.

Question 19

What does Parson say about organisation in Society? - Fuctionalist

Answer 19

Relationship between social groups in society is seen as one of cooperation and interdependence.

In complex societies, no one is self sufficient ,therefore exchange of goods and services is needed. Reciprocity (mutual give and take)

Question 20

What does Parsons say about Power?

Answer 20

Power is accepted as such because those in positions of authority use their power to pursue collective goals which derive from society’s central values.

Question 21

Evaluation of Parsons theory on stratification? - Functionalist

Answer 21

Stratification is inevitable because it derives from shared values which are a necessary part of all social systems.
It is also functional because it serves to integrate various groups in society.

Question 22

Criticism of Parsons. - Functionalism.

Answer 22

Some argue that stratification as a divisive rather than an integrating force. Some gain at the expense of others.

Question 23

What do Davis & Moore say about stratification and role allocation? - Functionalism

Answer 23

Stratification exists in every known human society. All social systems share certain functional prerequisites which must be met if the system is to survive. It is a functional necessity.

Effective role allocation and performance is one of them.

1. All roles must be filled and they must be filled by those best able to perform them.
2. Necessary training for them must be undertaken.
3. Roles must be performed conscientiously.

Social stratification is a mechanism that attaches unequal reward to the different positions in society. There would be no need if people were the same, however people differ in terms of ability and talent. Therefore, some positions are more functionally important than others.

Social inequality was an inevitable feature of human society.

Question 24

How does role allocation ensure that those most able will achieve, according to Davis & Moore? - Functionalism

Answer 24

By attaching high rewards to these important positions.
The desire for such rewards will motivate prolly to compete for them, and in theory the most talented will.

Such positions usually require long training periods and self sacrifice. Therefor the rewards are there as an incentive.

Question 25

According to Davis & Moore, what positions are functionally important? - Functionalism

Answer 25

1. Measured by the degree to which a position is functionally unique, there being no other positions that can perform the same functions satisfactorily. Eg: Doctors could be argued as more functionally important than nurses, since their positions carries with it many of the skills necessary to performs a nurses role but not vice versa.
2. The degree to which other positions are dependent on the one in question. Eg: Managers could be seen as more important than routine office staff since the latter are dependent on direction from manager.

Question 26

Tumin argues Davis & Moore’s perspective on stratification. How so?
(Part 1)

Answer 26

1. Discusses the inadequacy of their measurement of functional importance of positions. They tended to assume the most highly rewarded positions are indeed the most important. However, many occupations, which have little prestige or economic reward are vital. Eg: labour force are just as important as engineers in a factory.
2. Ignored the influence of power, which could cause differences in pay and prestige rather than functional importance.
3. Questioned the limited amount of individuals able to acquire the skills necessarily for high positions. Since an effective method of measuring talent and ability has yet to be devised. Secondly, the pool of talent could be considerable bigger than they thought. Resulting in less equal rewards.

Question 27

Tumin argues Davis & Moore’s perspective on stratification. How so?
(Part 2)

Answer 27

4. Questioned whether training should be regarded as a sacrifice and therefore in need of compensation. Eg: rewards of students are leisure, freedom and self development. The initial low earnings will be made up during the first 10 years of work and continuing high pay after that may not be justified.
5. Stratification acts as a barrier to the motivation and recruitment of talent. Eg: the hurdles lower class people have to overcome may be daunting and discourage them rather than motivate.
6. Those born in the lower strata can never have the same opportunities for realising their talents are those born in higher strata.
7. Stratification doesn’t integrate rather it encourages hostility and distrust among the various sectors within so with. A divisive force rather than an integrating force.