Functional Theory

stratification is

inevitable

key roles

unequal rewards justified by hard work

there are individual

differences in talent

made by

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore

Meritocracy

-success based on hard work

-achieved status

-based on education and occupation

-”the best will rise to the top”

-ex→ train “I think I can”, socialized to believe the best will rise

-idolize/ tokenism with riches to rags celebs (Dolly Parton and President Carter)

criticisms

-Melvin Tumin→ are key roles really there?

-Davis and Moore’s hypothesis (not theory)→ myth of meritocracy

-differences in rewards among jobs (female vs. male jobs and $)

-ascribed status matters

-ex→ attorney more important than garbage collector?

image

the haves (small chunk of rectangle) over the have nots (large chunk)