Explaining Social Class Inequalities: Functionalism

Question 1

Parsons:

Answer 1

argues that in all societies, individuals are better at achieving things that are worthy of reward according to he value consensus

Question 2

Davis and Moore:

social stratification

Answer 2

argues the importance of social stratification because it:
1. Allocates the right people to the most important roles so important positions are occupied by the most ABLE people by offering high rewards
2. It ensures that these people perform these roles to the highest standard for the good of the whole organisation
This can be determined by FUNCTIONAL UNIQUENESS (if only a small amount of people can do the job it’s ‘functionally unique’) and the DEGREE OF DEPENDENCE on others (if the role is depended on by many others)

Question 3

Turnin: Critique of Davis and Moore

Answer 3

argues it’s not possible to determine functional importance, and there’s also not a consensus about rewards because they’re unequally distributed. Also, D&M assume that only small numbers of people have the ability to do the job when in reality many can but haven’t been given the opportunity.
Stratification is dysfunctions as it creates hostility between different sections of society