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
Functionalist theorists believe that
inequality is inevitable and desirable and plays an important function in society
. Important positions in society require more training and thus should receive more rewards. Social inequality and social stratification, according to this view, lead to a meritocracy based on ability.
What is functionalist perspective example?
According to the functionalist perspective of sociology, each aspect of society is interdependent and contributes to society’s stability and functioning as a whole. For example,
the government provides education for the children of the family
, which in turn pays taxes on which the state depends to keep itself running.
1) Functionalists say
that social stratification is necessary and normal to create a healthy society
. They believe that some people are innately talented and more able to preform certain jobs, like doctors.
Conflict theorists would argue that they haven’t, but rather have been used by the Walton family to solidify the patterns of stratification that keep the family rich. Functionalists criticize this approach by
arguing that people do not always act largely out of economic self-interest.
What are 3 examples of inequality in society today?
The major examples of social inequality include
income gap, gender inequality, health care, and social class
. In health care, some individuals receive better and more professional care compared to others.
Social stratification can be examined from different sociological perspectives—
functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism
. The functionalist perspective states that systems exist in society for good reasons.
What does the functionalist perspective focus on?
The functionalist perspective sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation and broadly focuses on
the social structures that shape society as a whole
.
What are the main ideas of functionalism?
The primary concepts within Functionalism are
collective conscience, value consensus, social order, education, family, crime and deviance and the media
.
What are the 3 types of sociology?
Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives:
the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective
, and the symbolic interactionist perspective (sometimes called the interactionist perspective, or simply the micro view).
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.
Social stratification refers to
a ranking of people or groups of people within a society
. But the term was defined by the earliest sociologists as something more than the almost universal inequalities that exist in all but the least complex of societies.
Why is social stratification universal according to conflict and functionalist theorists? …
The groups that gain power use that power to manipulate, control, and exploit the groups “beneath them
.” Members of the ruling elite in every society develop ideologies that justify their society’s social stratification system.
What are the two basic types of stratification systems?
Two basic types of stratification systems exist today:
caste systems and class systems
. Systems of stratification range from closed, in which movement between ranks is difficult, to open, in which individuals are able to move between ranks.
What are the two theories of stratification?
While the three main sociological paradigms all help explain global stratification, there are two major theories that developed out of the structural-functional and conflict theories that are best positioned to explain global inequality:
modernization theory and dependency theory
.
conflict theory:
A social science perspective that holds that stratification is dysfunctional and harmful in society, with inequality perpetuated
because it benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. social stratification: The hierarchical arrangement of social classes, or castes, within a society.
