Functionalist And Class Inequality Flashcards
What is the functionalist view on inequality ?
- Society is already working well
- inequality is inevitable, normal and natural
Studies for functionalist and class inequality?
- Talcott parsons : organic analogy
- Talcott parsons : value consensus and stratification
- David Moore: reasons for social stratification
- David Moore : principles of social stratification
What does Talcott parsons: organic analogy say society is like ?
Organic analogy: society is like a human body with different organs contributing to a whole
According to Talcott parsons: organic analogy , example of organic analogy ?
Lungs provide oxygen for the blood which is pumped around the body to the heart same way society
Talcott parsons: organic analogy , Same way the body works is the same way for what ?
Same way societies, families and educational institutions socialises future workers so they can play a role in the economic system and provide us with services we need
According to Talcott Parsons: what three ways is society like a human body ?
- System
- Needs
- Functions
Talcott parsons : organic analogy , what is system ?
Both body and society are self regulating but independent parts that fit together
E.g healthcare & goverment work with individuals e.g children
According to Talcott parsons : organic analogy
What is needs ?
Organs in body have needs to survive so does society
Body needs food and water
Society needs well socialised people and tax
According to Talcott parsons:
What is functions ?
Both the institutions in society and organs serve certain purposes
Economy meets needs of society by food and shelter
According to Talcott parsons, what element is there to inequality ?
Functional element to inequality
According to Talcott parsons, what is the functional element of inequality
As societies needs different people with skills, statuses, rewards and motivations for society to function
- we need dustbins, heart surgeons
According to Talcott Parsons, why is jobs of Dustbin men and heart surgeons needed ?
For different rewards that go along with these roles
According to parsons: value consensus and stratification, parsons argued what about individuals ?
Some individuals are better than others at achieving things and worthy of rewards according to value consensus
According to Talcott parsons: value consensus and stratification, in a modern society what do those who run buisnesses deserve and why ?
Those who run businesses and create wealth and jobs deserve highest rewards as contribute to running a smooth society
According to Talcott parsons : social stratification and value consensus
Stratification (heirachy) is normal and natural as those who work the hardest deserve the highest rewards
According to Talcott Parsons: value consensus and stratification, why stratification natural and normal ?
Meritocracy society can succeed on effort and talents so ANYONE can do well
What is the evaluations of parsons
-Do we really live in a meritocracy?
- Stratification is divisive
- power and rewards: Melvin and Tumin
Do we really live in a meritocracy- parsons evaluation
Not everyone in the UK has the same life chances as access to the top usually denied to those lower class due to lack of opportunities or merit so assumption of meritocracy being equal is not the case
Stratification as divisive - parsons evaluation
Divisive as some gain at the expense of others
Feminist - stratification benifits men
Marxist - stratification is designed to benifit the rich and powerful
What is power and rewards (Melvin Tumin) evaluation ?
Functionalist ignore how power influences unequal distribution of rewards e.g difference in pay, prestige due to difference in power than importance
According to Davis and Moore: reasons for social stratification , what does social stratification do
Role allocation and high standards
according to Davis and Moore, what is role allocation ?
Allocates the right people to the most important roles so that it is filled emoji the most able people so they can gain the highest rewards to motivate the best people
According to Davis and Moore, what is high standards ?
Ensures that roles perform by people at to the highest standards as roles e.g doctors have many people depending on them so motivate them to work to the best of their ability
According to Davis and Moore: principles of social stratification
How can we tell which position is most important ?
Functional uniqueness and degree of dependence of others
