Functionalist - Class Inequalites (Talcott Parsons) Flashcards
What does functionalist say about class inequality?
- Society works well already
- inequality is inevitable, natural , normal and helps society work
What functionalist theories discuss inequality?
- Talcott Parsons : organic Analogy
- Talcott Parsons : value consensus and stratification
- Davis and Moore : Reasons for social stratification
- Davis and Moore : principles of social stratification
What is a ‘organic analogy’ according to Talcott Parsons: organic analogy ?
Society works as a human body with different organs contributing to the whole
What example of organic analogy does Talcott Parsons : organic analogy use ?
Lungs provide oxygen for the body
As lungs provide oxygen to body what example does it follow in society , according to Talcott Parsons : organic analogy ?
Same way in society , families and educational institutions socialises future workers so they can play a role in economic system
Example of how future workers can play a role in the economic system according to Talcott parsons : organic analogy ?
Provides us with Consumer goods and services we need
What the three ways society is like a human organism according to Talcott parsons
- system
- needs
- functions
What is system according to Talcott parsons: organic analogy?
Body and society are self-regulating systems of inter-related independent parts that fit together
Example of the system in use according to Talcott Parsons : organic analogy ?
Social institutions e.g education, healthcare and government work with individuals e.g children
What is needs according to Talcott Parsons : organic analogy ?
Organs in the body have needs to survive and so does society
Examples of needs according to Talcott Parsons: organic analogy ?
Human body needs oxygen, food and water. Society needs well socialized people taxation , consumerism
What is function according to Talcott Parsons : organic analogy ?
Both the institutions in society and the organs serve certain purpose they contribute to meeting the systems needs
What is the example of functions according to Talcott Parsons : organic analogy ?
Economy meets the needs for society by meeting the needs for food and shelter
What is Talcott parsons : organic analogy saying overall ?
Society needs different people with different skills , statues , rewards for society to function correctly e.g need binmen and heart surgeon to have different rewards
According to Talcott parsons : value consensus and stratification, what is functionalism often described as ?
As a consensus theory because society works best when there is agreement or consensus over shared values
What does parsons: value consensus and stratification argue happens in all societies?
Some individuals are better than others at achieving things that are worthy of rewards according to value consensus
What does Talcott Parsons: value consensus and stratification suggest people agree with in modern industrial societies ?
Entrepreneurs and executives who successfully run businesses creating wealth and jobs deserve the highest rewards
According to Talcott Parsons: value consensus and stratification say about why executive and entrepreneur deserve the highest rewards ?
As they contribute the most to the smooth running society
What is stratification according to Talcott parsons : value consensus and stratification?
Hierarchal layers of people in society
What does Talcott parsons: value consensus and stratification say about stratification ?
Is natural and normal as those who work the hardest deserve the highest rewards than others
What society do we live in according to Talcott parsons: value consensus and stratification ?
Meritocracy society , society any can succeed based on efforts and talents so everyone has the opportunity to do well.
What are the evaluations of parsons ?
- do we really live in a meritocracy?
- stratification as divisive ?
- power and rewards: Melvin Tumin
What is do we really live in a meritocracy? Evaluation say ?
- not everyone in the uk has the same life chances
- access to the top is denied to those in the lower class due to lack of opportunity and ability
- assumption that we all live in a meritocracy full of equal access to the same poison is not the case
What does stratification as divisive evaluation say ?
- many sociologist sees stratification as divisive rather than an integrative force
- as some gain at the expense of others
- Marxists would say stratification is designed to benefit the rich and powerful after generation , feminist say benefits men
What does power and rewards: Melvin Tumin evaluation say ?
- functionalist ignore that the influence power has on the unequal distribution of rewards
- difference in pay maybe due to difference in power rather than importance
