functionalism

• Parsons


  Argued that in all societies some individuals are better than others than at achieving thing that are regarded as worthy of reward according to the prevailing value consensus.Suggests that most people agree that in modern industrial societies, entrepreneurs & executives who successfully run businesses creating wealth & jobs deserve the highest rewards as they contribute most to the smooth running of society.
• Davis & Moore - Principles of social stratification


  Argued that social stratification of some kind has been a feature of all human societies & therefore concluded that stratification is functionally necessary.Argued that the main function of social stratification is to ensure effective role allocation & performance.
• Davis & Moore - Principles of social stratification

  1. Social stratification does two things:Allocates the right people to the most important role, ensuring the most important positions in society are filled by the most able by offering them higher rewards.2. Ensure that people in these roles perform them to the highest standards. People in key position have many others depending on them so it is important to motivate them to work to the best of their ability for the good of the whole organisation.
• Davis & Moore - Principles of social stratification

  1. Argue we can tell which positions are most important by two factors:Functional uniqueness - a position is functionally unique if only one person or a small number could carry out the role.2. The degree of dependence of others - eg. many people depend on the consultant surgeon to do their jobs, including junior doctors/nurses who operate under their orders.
• Tumin


  A critique of Davis & Moore
• Criticisms of Davis & Moore

  • Is it possible to determine the functional importance of a position?
  • Is there consensus about rewards?
  • Power & rewards
  • The pool of talent
  • Is training a sacrifice?
  • Motivation
  • The dysfunctions of stratification
• Functional importance of a position

  Which positions are most important is perhaps a matter of opinion rather than fact
• Consensus about rewards


  There is considerable conflict & resentment about the unequal distribution of rewards such as income
• Power & rewards


  The high pay of some jobs such as top business executives reflects their power rather than agreement among the rest of society that they deserve it
• Pool of talent


  Davis & Moore assume only a small number of people have the talents to perform the top jobs, but many more people may have ability to be doctors, etc but have never been given the opportunity
• Training as a sacrifice

  Going to university has its own rewards, such as freedom & the chance to learn what we are interested in
• Motivation


  Davis & Moore don't account for people who may be motivated by altruism or a sense of service
• Dysfunctions of stratification


  Stratification often creates hostility, suspicion & mistrust between different sections of society
• Modern industrial societies are meritocracies, those who achieve the top positions do soon the basis of merit rather than family background.
• Criticism


  Not everyone in UK society has the same life chances. Access to the top positions if often denied to those from lower classes as much because of lack of opportunity as because of lack of ability/merit.