In 1945, sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore published the Davis-Moore thesis, which argued
that the greater the functional importance of a social role, the greater must be the reward
. The theory posits that social stratification represents the inherently unequal value of different work.
Contrast the functional and conflict views of why social stratification is universal. Functionalists Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore argued
that to attract the most capable people to fill its important positions, society must offer them greater rewards
.
The functional theory of stratification provided by Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore suggests that
social inequalities are functional for society because they provide an incentive for the most talented individuals to occupy jobs that are essential to the orderly maintenance of a society
.
Was Davis and Moore a functionalist?
The Davis–Moore hypothesis, sometimes referred to as the Davis–Moore theory, is a
central claim within the structural functionalist paradigm of sociological theory
, and was advanced by Kingsley Davis and Wilbert E. Moore in a paper published in 1945. The hypothesis is an attempt to explain social stratification.
Functionalism:
argues that social stratification is needed to sort individuals into different professions and to maintain a meritocratic system of rewards
. Conflict theory: argues that stratification benefits certain groups more than others through rigid systems of mobility and change.
What is the functionalist explanation of stratification quizlet?
The structural-functionalist explanation of stratification is
that higher rewards, such as prestige and large salaries, are afforded to the most important positions in society
, thereby ensuring that the most qualified individuals will occupy the highest positions.
Which of the following best describes the functionalist theory of social stratification?
The inequality of social classes helps assure
that the most qualified people fill the most important positions. … Only the working class is interested in obtaining prestige.
How do functionalist and conflict explanations of stratification differ?
The functionalist perspective states that systems exist in society for good reasons. Conflict theorists
observe that stratification promotes inequality
, such as between rich business owners and poor workers. Symbolic interactionists examine stratification from a micro-level perspective.
Why did Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore feel stratification was beneficial to society?
The thesis states that social stratification is necessary to promote excellence, productivity, and efficiency, thus giving people something to strive for. Davis and Moore believed that the
system serves society as a whole because it allows everyone to benefit to a certain extent
.
What is the theory of functionalism?
Functionalism, in social sciences, theory based on the
premise that all aspects of a society—institutions, roles, norms, etc
. … A social system is assumed to have a functional unity in which all parts of the system work together with some degree of internal consistency.
How do Davis and Moore explain stratification?
In 1945, sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore published the Davis-Moore thesis, which argued that the
greater the functional importance of a social role
, the greater must be the reward. The theory posits that social stratification represents the inherently unequal value of different work.
What is the Davis-Moore thesis quizlet?
The Davis-Moore thesis states
that social stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of a society
. They explained that the greater the functional importance of a position, the more rewards a society attaches to it.
What are the functions of stratification?
Stratification leads to more productive society
.
Social Stratification provides motivation for different positions, particularly those which carry higher statuses and rewards. By distributing resources unequally, society motivates people to work harder and better in order to achieve a higher status.
What would be the functionalist explanation of stratification and the class system?
What would a functionalist say about stratification and the class system? …
Social policies are set up to reward based on merit, and the system is basically fair because everyone has the opportunity to work hard
.
What would a functionalist say about stratification and the class system?
The
functionalist theory of social inequality holds that stratification exists because it is beneficial for society
. The conflict theory of social inequality holds that stratification exists because it benefits individuals and groups who have the power to dominate and exploit others.
Functionalist theorists believe that
inequality is inevitable and desirable and plays an important function in society
. … They believe that social inequality prevents and hinders societal progress as those in power repress the powerless people to maintain the status quo.
