Functionalist - Class Inequalites (Talcott Parsons)

Question 1

What does functionalist say about class inequality?

Answer 1

• Society works well already
• inequality is inevitable, natural , normal and helps society work

Question 2

What functionalist theories discuss inequality?

Answer 2

• Talcott Parsons : organic Analogy
• Talcott Parsons : value consensus and stratification
• Davis and Moore : Reasons for social stratification
• Davis and Moore : principles of social stratification

Question 3

What is a ‘organic analogy’ according to Talcott Parsons: organic analogy ?

Answer 3

Society works as a human body with different organs contributing to the whole

Question 4

What example of organic analogy does Talcott Parsons : organic analogy use ?

Answer 4

Lungs provide oxygen for the body

Question 5

As lungs provide oxygen to body what example does it follow in society , according to Talcott Parsons : organic analogy ?

Answer 5

Same way in society , families and educational institutions socialises future workers so they can play a role in economic system

Question 6

Example of how future workers can play a role in the economic system according to Talcott parsons : organic analogy ?

Answer 6

Provides us with Consumer goods and services we need

Question 7

What the three ways society is like a human organism according to Talcott parsons

Answer 7

• system
• needs
• functions

Question 8

What is system according to Talcott parsons: organic analogy?

Answer 8

Body and society are self-regulating systems of inter-related independent parts that fit together

Question 9

Example of the system in use according to Talcott Parsons : organic analogy ?

Answer 9

Social institutions e.g education, healthcare and government work with individuals e.g children

Question 10

What is needs according to Talcott Parsons : organic analogy ?

Answer 10

Organs in the body have needs to survive and so does society

Question 11

Examples of needs according to Talcott Parsons: organic analogy ?

Answer 11

Human body needs oxygen, food and water. Society needs well socialized people taxation , consumerism

Question 12

What is function according to Talcott Parsons : organic analogy ?

Answer 12

Both the institutions in society and the organs serve certain purpose they contribute to meeting the systems needs

Question 13

What is the example of functions according to Talcott Parsons : organic analogy ?

Answer 13

Economy meets the needs for society by meeting the needs for food and shelter

Question 14

What is Talcott parsons : organic analogy saying overall ?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

According to Talcott parsons : value consensus and stratification, what is functionalism often described as ?

Answer 15

As a consensus theory because society works best when there is agreement or consensus over shared values

Question 16

What does parsons: value consensus and stratification argue happens in all societies?

Answer 16

Some individuals are better than others at achieving things that are worthy of rewards according to value consensus

Question 17

What does Talcott Parsons: value consensus and stratification suggest people agree with in modern industrial societies ?

Answer 17

Entrepreneurs and executives who successfully run businesses creating wealth and jobs deserve the highest rewards

Question 18

According to Talcott Parsons: value consensus and stratification say about why executive and entrepreneur deserve the highest rewards ?

Answer 18

As they contribute the most to the smooth running society

Question 19

What is stratification according to Talcott parsons : value consensus and stratification?

Answer 19

Hierarchal layers of people in society

Question 20

What does Talcott parsons: value consensus and stratification say about stratification ?

Answer 20

Is natural and normal as those who work the hardest deserve the highest rewards than others

Question 21

What society do we live in according to Talcott parsons: value consensus and stratification ?

Answer 21

Meritocracy society , society any can succeed based on efforts and talents so everyone has the opportunity to do well.

Question 22

What are the evaluations of parsons ?

Answer 22

• do we really live in a meritocracy?
• stratification as divisive ?
• power and rewards: Melvin Tumin

Question 23

What is do we really live in a meritocracy? Evaluation say ?

Answer 23

• 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

Question 24

What does stratification as divisive evaluation say ?

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

What does power and rewards: Melvin Tumin evaluation say ?

Answer 25

- 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