Introductory Sociology: Social Stratification - Theories of Stratification DavisMoore Functionalist Marxs Class Conflict Webers Class Status Party Wrights Contradictory Class Locations

Theories of Stratification

Davis-Moore Functionalist Theory

What It Is: The Davis-Moore Functionalist Theory proposes that social inequality is necessary for a society to function efficiently. According to this theory, those who hold positions of power and wealth are essential to the functioning of society, and their rewards are necessary to motivate them to perform their roles. For example, a surgeon is paid more than a nurse because their skills are crucial to the functioning of a hospital. Sociologists care about this theory because it helps explain why social inequality persists in societies.

Must-Know Facts

• Key Theorist: Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore developed this theory in 1945.
• Core Idea: Social inequality is necessary for a society to function efficiently.
• Example: A surgeon is paid more than a nurse because their skills are crucial to the functioning of a hospital.
• Definition: Functionalist: a theory that views social inequality as necessary for a society to function.
• Empirical Finding: Studies have shown that social inequality is associated with higher levels of economic growth and innovation.
• Classic Study: Davis and Moore's 1945 study on the necessity of social inequality.
• Distinction: This theory differs from Marx's Class Conflict Theory, which views social inequality as a result of exploitation.
• Important Term: Social Stratification: the ranking of individuals or groups in a society based on their social status.
• Key Concept: Social Mobility: the movement of individuals or groups up or down the social ladder.
• Important Theorist: Talcott Parsons, who built on Davis and Moore's theory.
• Empirical Finding: Studies have shown that social mobility is limited in many societies.
• Classic Study: The Coleman Report (1966) on social mobility in the United States.
• Distinction: This theory differs from Weber's Class, Status, Party theory, which views social inequality as resulting from a combination of economic, social, and political factors.
• Important Term: Class: a group of individuals who share similar economic and social characteristics.
• Key Concept: Status: a group's social standing or prestige.
• Important Theorist: Max Weber, who developed the Class, Status, Party theory.
• Empirical Finding: Studies have shown that social status is associated with health outcomes.
• Classic Study: The Status Consistency Study (1963) on the relationship between social status and health.
• Distinction: This theory differs from Wright's Contradictory Class Locations theory, which views social inequality as resulting from the contradictions between different social classes.
• Important Term: Contradictory Class Locations: the idea that individuals can hold multiple class positions simultaneously.
• Key Concept: Class Location: an individual's position within a social class.
• Important Theorist: Erik Olin Wright, who developed the Contradictory Class Locations theory.
• Empirical Finding: Studies have shown that individuals with contradictory class locations are more likely to experience social mobility.
• Classic Study: Wright's 1979 study on contradictory class locations.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: The Davis-Moore Functionalist Theory proposes that social inequality is necessary for a society to function because it motivates individuals to work hard.
• Correction: The theory proposes that social inequality is necessary for a society to function because it rewards individuals who hold essential positions of power and wealth.
• Misunderstanding: Weber's Class, Status, Party theory views social inequality as resulting from economic factors alone.
• Correction: Weber's theory views social inequality as resulting from a combination of economic, social, and political factors.
• Misunderstanding: Wright's Contradictory Class Locations theory proposes that individuals can only hold one class position at a time.
• Correction: Wright's theory proposes that individuals can hold multiple class positions simultaneously.

Practice Questions

1. Question: According to the Davis-Moore Functionalist Theory, what is the primary reason for social inequality? A) To motivate individuals to work hard B) To reward individuals who hold essential positions of power and wealth C) To reduce social mobility D) To increase economic growth

Answer: B) To reward individuals who hold essential positions of power and wealth Why correct: This is the core idea of the Davis-Moore Functionalist Theory.

1. Question: Which of the following is a key concept in Weber's Class, Status, Party theory? A) Social Stratification B) Social Mobility C) Class, Status, Party D) Contradictory Class Locations

Answer: C) Class, Status, Party Why correct: Weber's theory views social inequality as resulting from a combination of economic, social, and political factors.

1. Question: According to Wright's Contradictory Class Locations theory, what is the relationship between social class and social mobility? A) Social mobility is limited in societies with contradictory class locations B) Social mobility is increased in societies with contradictory class locations C) Social mobility is not affected by contradictory class locations D) Contradictory class locations do not exist

Answer: B) Social mobility is increased in societies with contradictory class locations Why correct: Wright's theory proposes that individuals with contradictory class locations are more likely to experience social mobility.

1. Question: Which of the following is a key theorist associated with the Davis-Moore Functionalist Theory? A) Max Weber B) Erik Olin Wright C) Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore D) Talcott Parsons

Answer: C) Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore Why correct: Davis and Moore developed the Davis-Moore Functionalist Theory in 1945.

1. Question: According to the Davis-Moore Functionalist Theory, what is the relationship between social inequality and economic growth? A) Social inequality is associated with lower levels of economic growth B) Social inequality is associated with higher levels of economic growth C) Social inequality has no effect on economic growth D) Economic growth is not associated with social inequality

Answer: B) Social inequality is associated with higher levels of economic growth Why correct: Studies have shown that social inequality is associated with higher levels of economic growth.

Quick Revision

• Davis-Moore Functionalist Theory: social inequality is necessary for a society to function efficiently.
• Weber's Class, Status, Party theory: social inequality results from a combination of economic, social, and political factors.
• Wright's Contradictory Class Locations theory: individuals can hold multiple class positions simultaneously.
• Davis-Moore Functionalist Theory is not the same as Marx's Class Conflict Theory.
• Weber's Class, Status, Party theory is not the same as Wright's Contradictory Class Locations theory.
• Social mobility is limited in many societies.
• Social status is associated with health outcomes.
• Contradictory class locations are associated with social mobility.
• Davis-Moore Functionalist Theory was developed in 1945.
• Weber's Class, Status, Party theory was developed in the early 20th century.
• Wright's Contradictory Class Locations theory was developed in the 1970s.