Functionalist Explanation

• According to Durkheim, what is modern society built on?

  Division of labour
• What is the division of labour?

  Individuals working specific jobs to benefit society.
• How did Durkheim explain why people worked jobs that weren't as good as others?

  Value consensus - the hierarchy exists bc we've agreed to it
• What is meant by value consensus?

  Social hierarchy exists bc we've agreed to it
• Why do we agree to social stratification?

  • We're socialised to accept it
  • Helps us have reasonable expectations/goals
• What did Durkheim notice in closed societies where ppl's roles were ASCRIBED?

  More likely to experience conflict + long periods of change
• What concept did Durkheim + Talcott Parsons propose?

  Organic analogy
• Who said social stratification is a 'functional prerequisite of society'?

  Parsons
• Why is social stratification

  1. Inevitable?
  2. Functional?
  3. Comes from society's general value consensus
  4. Brings ppl together
• What did Davis & Moore say about social stratification?

  It's a functional necessity for effective role allocation
• In what 2 ways does social stratification support society?

  1. Role allocation - Meritocratic society = ppl do jobs they're best suited for
  2. High performance - Better rewards in the higher levels = ppl motivated to work at best standards
• According to Davis & Moore, what 2 factors can we use to identify how important a position is?

  1. Functional uniqueness
  2. Degree of dependence of others
• AO3: Who critiqued Davis & Moore? (HINT: Cumin)

  Melvin Tumin
• AO3: Some of Melvin Tumin's critiques

  • Ppl aren't only motivated by m_______ rewards
  • Its IMPOSSIBLE to determine the f_________ i_________ of most jobs
  • For assuming that the _______-paid have the best s_____
  • Ppl aren't just motivated by monetary rewards
  • Hard to determine functional importance of jobs
  • The highest-paid aren't always the most skilled, others may have never had the chance to show their abilities
• AO3: What are some examples of societal acceptance of value consensus being EXAGGERATED? (Not everyone is agreeing to it like Durkheim says)

  Resentment in the UK regarding MP's salaries when other jobs are having pay freezes
• AO3: Diff. jobs have diff. rewards, which Durkheim says are set by society, but this may be incorrect. Who else can control these?

  Powerful ppl e.g. company directors
• AO3: What is the word used to describe when ppl at the top got there from opportunity + social connections, not their own merit? (HINT: Common in the UK)

  Nepotism
• AO3: There's substantial evidence that social stratification can lead to a culture of what 3 things?

  Envy, alienation + resentment
• AO3: Melvin Tumin criticised D&M by saying that not everyone is motivated by monetary reward. What are some 2 altruistic careers?

  Teaching + nursing