What is the functional theory of stratification. The functionalist theory of stratification is more relevant 2022-11-06

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The functional theory of stratification is a sociological perspective that explains the existence and persistence of social inequality in terms of the positive functions it serves for a society as a whole. According to this theory, social inequality is not just an unfortunate byproduct of society, but rather an essential component that helps to maintain social order and stability.

According to functionalists, social inequality serves several important functions in society. First, it provides a way for individuals to be rewarded for their contributions to society. In a stratified society, those who work hard and contribute more to the common good are often rewarded with higher social status and greater material resources. This incentivizes people to work hard and contribute to society, which in turn benefits the society as a whole.

Second, social inequality also serves as a way to allocate scarce resources and opportunities. In a society with limited resources, it is not possible for everyone to have equal access to everything. Stratification allows for the allocation of resources and opportunities based on merit, need, or other criteria, which can help to ensure that they are used in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Third, social inequality also serves to provide a sense of order and stability in society. When people understand their place in the social hierarchy, they are more likely to accept their role and fulfill their responsibilities. This can help to reduce conflict and maintain social cohesion.

However, it is important to note that the functional theory of stratification does not necessarily justify social inequality or suggest that it is inevitable. While it acknowledges the positive functions that social inequality can serve, it also recognizes that these functions can be achieved in other ways and that there may be negative consequences of stratification, such as poverty and discrimination.

Overall, the functional theory of stratification offers a useful perspective for understanding the role of social inequality in society and the ways in which it can both contribute to and detract from social stability and well-being.

8.2 Explaining Stratification

what is the functional theory of stratification

It places importance on our shared norms and values, by which society is enabled to function. Each social institution is an 'organ' that performs a specific function. However… Social Class And Society Essay The social structure of Britain has been highly influenced by the concept of social class. Commissioned review essays appear occasionally, offering the readers a comparative, in-depth examination of prominent titles. They believe that social inequality prevents and hinders societal progress as those in power repress the powerless people to maintain the status quo. The Marxist view on educational achievement is greatly influenced by social class background. Davis and Moore believe that education sifts and sorts according to ability.

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FUNCTIONAL THEORY OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

what is the functional theory of stratification

Who created age stratification theory? In slave societies, the dominant ideology, and one that at least some slaves accepted, was that slaves are inferior to their masters and deserve no better fate in life. The Davis-Moore Thesis states: That the more society values a particular profession, the more the people in that profession will make. In some cultures, the elderly are esteemed; in others, the elderly are disparaged or overlooked. If you decide to shine shoes, you can begin making this money at age 16, but if you decide to become a brain surgeon, you will not start making this same amount until about age 35, as you first must go to college and medical school and then acquire several more years of medical training. Durkheim, recognised as the funder of Functionalism, claims that the relationship among diverse social classes is cooperated and interdependence. Because of their race, ethnicity, gender, and class standing at birth, some people have less opportunity than others to acquire the skills and training they need to fill the types of jobs addressed by the functionalist approach. If the government decides the country needs a stronger defence system, it will increase its defence budget and allocate more funding and resources to it.

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Functionalist Theory Of Stratification

what is the functional theory of stratification

These functionalist sociologists explored how society ensures that the right people perform the right roles. The reason being, Western countries emphasise economic supremacy. This means that people's economic rankings have the most impact on their lives and social statuses compared with other forms of inequality, like those related to gender, ethnicity, or age. Structural Functionalism Vs Conflict Theory Essay 747 Words 3 Pages Most fields of science rely on theories to explain centrally important issues, such as social phenomena, that have a wide range of applications. Inequality is common to both age and class stratification as both age strata and social classes differ in their possession of valued resources and access to the means of acquiring these resources. The system of stratification in any society is essentially an expression of the value system of that society.

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Functional Theory of Stratification, Sociology Short Notes

what is the functional theory of stratification

According to functionalists, the role of schools is to prepare students for participation in the institutions of society. As this example suggests, many people might not choose to become brain surgeons unless considerable financial and other rewards awaited them. Most of us would be able to do a decent job of shining shoes, but very few of us would be able to become brain surgeons. How do Functionalists view socialization? For example, which is more important, doing brain surgery or mining coal? Matilda White Riley Age Structure The most ambitious treatment of age in sociological thinking can be attributed to Matilda White Riley and her associates most notably John Riley and Anne Foner since the early 1970s. What is the key to upward mobility? This is prevalent in both competitive and non-competitive system.

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Functionalist Theory Of Social Stratification Essay

what is the functional theory of stratification

To ensure cooperation, norms and values are embedded in law. Without this, there would be anomie or chaos. Contested Sociology: Rethinking Canadian Experience. New York, NY: International Publishers. Who were Adam Smith and Karl? This social solidarity would serve as a 'social glue'. Second society must motivate such men once they are in these positions to perform the duties attached to them. Definition of Davis-Moore Thesis noun Theory asserting that stratification and inequality are necessary and beneficial to society to motivate individuals to train for and perform complex roles.

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Social Stratification : Functional Theory, And Conflict...

what is the functional theory of stratification

The caste, slavery, and class system are all products of social stratification and have been seen throughout history. Functionalism was 'founded' by French sociologist, Émile Durkheim. The Indignant protesters demanded corruption cease and true democracy be established Rainsford. The primary concepts within Functionalism are collective conscience, value consensus, social order, education, family, crime and deviance and the media. In Merton's view, anomie is caused by a 'strain' felt by individuals not being able to achieve their goals in an un-meritocratic society.

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Functionalism: Definition, Sociology & Examples

what is the functional theory of stratification

So, a society is characterised by inequality and the intensity and type of such inequality vary from society to society. Differentiation Differentiation is, simply put, the acknowledgment that different social roles have different worth and status within a particular society. Stratification by class tends to be the primary system of classification nowadays, with other forms of stratification taking secondary positions. They see social structures as external to individual actors. We are simply born into this world, with no say in the matter! This way, persons in society can coexist and acknowledge each other as important. Stratification arises basically out of the needs of societies not out of the needs or desires of individuals. Let's explore social stratification theories to see how sociologists view them.


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What is an example of age stratification theory?

what is the functional theory of stratification

Why do we need functional pre-requisites in society? They change and reconstitute themselves. This paper will examine how The U. All societies are formed in a way that some percentage of the population is ranked in the higher pay range as well as some portion is ranked of the bottom pay range of the scale. He argued that individuals should be pressurised to participate in society. In his view, approaches in that vein, like Weber's Fig. H e found that social problems can be causes of suicide as well, apart from personal or emotional problems. Yet they purchase these products to show off their wealth and to feel better about themselves.


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Functionalism and the Functional Theory of Stratification: An Empirical Assessment on JSTOR

what is the functional theory of stratification

Functionalism: Émile Durkheim Social solidarity is the feeling of being part of a larger social group. What is conflict and functionalist perspective for social 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. Functionalism uses a macrolevel of analysis because it takes several different people in several departments to come together as a whole to help the patients sustain their health. Be careful how you answer this one! What are 5 ways seniors could be discriminated for their age? There are many types of inequality such as social class inequality, gender inequality, age inequality and ethnicity inequality. For instance, homelessness is indication of dysfunction in structural functionalism system. Social Stratification Research Paper Social stratification is a system in which society ranks categories of people in hierarchy.

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