functionalist - stratification and social class

Question 1

what theory is functionalism? what does that mean?

Answer 1

structural theory, meaning that it focuses on institutions and how they shape and influence individual behaviour.

Question 2

who founded functionalism?

Answer 2

Emile Durkheim

Question 3

how did Durkheim view society?

Answer 3

as a complex system, of interrelated parts that all work together to maintain stability and social order.
Organic Analogy

Question 4

what is the organic analogy?

Answer 4

the comparison of society to a living organism, where each part functions to maintain the stability and health of the whole.

Question 5

what is social stratification?

Answer 5

the hierarchical organisation of individuals into different social ranks or classes, necessary to ensure important societal roles are filled by the most qualified.

Question 6

what is value consensus?

Answer 6

a general agreement on norms, values and beliefs, essential for maintaining social order and cohesion.

Question 7

what is role allocation?

Answer 7

the process by which individual are sorted into roles within society based on talents an abilities, with institutions like education playing a key role.

Question 8

what is meritocracy?

Answer 8

A system where social status and rewards are distributed based on individual merit, ensuring that the most capable occupy important roles.

Question 9

what is social solidarity?

Answer 9

the sense of unity and shared purpose among members of society, crucial for social stability and order.

Question 10

what is social order?

Answer 10

the structured and organised state of society, maintained through the functioning of social institutions and value consensus.

Question 11

what is functional prerequisites?

Answer 11

the basic needs that must be met for society to survive and function effectively, such as socialisation, the allocation of roles and the maintenance of social order.

Question 12

what is socialisation?

Answer 12

the process through which individuals lean and internalise the values, norms and behaviours appropriate to their society, critical for maintaining social order.

Question 13

what are functions?

Answer 13

the roles or purposes that various social institutions and structures serve in maintaining the stability and operation of society.

Question 14

what is the specialised division of labour?

Answer 14

the way in which work is divided into specialised tasks and roles within a society or organization, which functionalists believe increases efficiency and social cohesion.

Question 15

what is social mobility?

Answer 15

the ability of individuals to move up or down the social hierarchy, which should be based on individual effort and merit rather than state intervention.

Question 16

what is equality of outcome?

Answer 16

the principle that all individuals should achieve similar levels of success or well-being, regardless of their starting point or effort.

Question 17

what is equality of opportunity?

Answer 17

the principle that all individuals should have the same chance to succeed, regardless of their background, typically associated with meritocracy.

Question 18

who are the sociologists for functionalists view on stratification?

Answer 18

Durkheim
Parsons
Davis + Moore.

Question 19

when did Durkheim write?

Answer 19

industrialisation had become established in western Europe.

Question 20

what did Durkheim suggest about the existence of value consensus?

Answer 20

That because of this existence, societies members would accept hierarchy and the inevitable inequality that followed as the occupations which are ‘worth’ more to society are better rewarded.

Question 21

What did Durkheim believe society was largely based on?

Answer 21

Achieved status through the Division of labour.

Question 22

what did Durkheim say about individuals’ aspirations?

Answer 22

emphasised the part played by them, whereby people would largely based their aspirations on their own individual level of skill, education, qualifications and experience, thus preventing resentment and jealousy.what

Question 23

was Durkheim’s view on the origin of class stratification?

Answer 23

division of labour + social solidarity.
mechanical and organic division of labour becomes more complex, leading to different roles and functions for individuals.

Question 24

what is organic solidarity?

Answer 24

more specialised, greater differentiation in roles skills and responsibility.
creates a natural hierarchy.

Question 25

how did Durkheim explain the acceptance of social class stratification by members of society?

Answer 25

the lens of social cohesion, share values and division of labour.
how social stratification can be viewed as necessary and functional for the stability of society.

Question 26

what role did Durkheim see stratification playing in terms of competition and people’s aspirations?

Answer 26

he believe it fostered competition and shaped individuals’ aspirations, motivating them to work towards higher status through merit.
he emphasised the importance of moral regulation.

Question 27

what potential problem did Durkheim identify with the stratification system, and how might it affect social order?

Answer 27

stratification can foster feeling of alienation, especially those in the lower social strata who may feel marginalized.
they could then become disillusioned with the system, weaking their commitment to social norms and values.