Class Inequalities- functionalism

Question 1

Durkiehm
Class stratification is? to?
What is modern society characterised by?
What do people have (3)
term?
Why do people accept their position in the division of labour?
Term used for when everyone in society agrees?
Therefore, this means what is accepted? (legitimacy of?)

Answer 1

Class stratification is functional and beneficial to social order
Modern society is characterised by a specialist division of labour- people have different functions, skills and abilities (social divisions)
People accept their positions within the division of labour because they believe in its moral worth
Value consensus = acceptance of the legitimacy of stratification

Question 2

Parsons
Social inequality is... (2)
of what kind of system?
What two things does it require?
What values is ranking based on?
Examples (5)
What is likely to occur if a person has less of these?

Answer 2

Social inequality is functional and an inevitable feature of a social system that requires ranking and order
Ranking is based on what society values in terms of:
Kinship- family status
personal qualities- beauty, intelligence etc
achievement- qualifications and skills
possessions
authority
The less of these a person has the more they are likely to face inequality

Question 3

Davis and Moore
What should society ensure?
What do the most important roles require? What does this mean society is?
Therefore class positions are?
What does stratification encourage people to do?

Answer 3

Societies should ensure that their most important roles are filled with the most talented people.
The most important roles require the highest rewards meaning society is meritocratic
Therefore people class positions is a fair reflection of their talents
Stratification encourages all members of society to work to the best of their ability