Functionalist Approaches - Stratification Sociology - Lecture Slides, Slides of Sociology

Download Functionalist Approaches - Stratification Sociology - Lecture Slides and more Slides Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! Functionalist Approaches to Social Stratification docsity.com What is Functionalism? An initial answer comes from Stinchcombe: In functionalism “the consequences of some behavior or social arrangement are essential elements of the causes of that behavior” docsity.com Homeostasis • In a functional explanation, if desired consequence is arrived at, often the individual or system will try to remain there • This trend to homeostasis resembles how the human body maintains constant internal conditions (such as temperature) docsity.com Equifinality • Functional explanations are also marked by equifinality • Equifinality means equivalent consequences. When a set of varied behaviors lead to the same outcome, seek a functional explanation. docsity.com Equifinality: Example • Stinchcombe: In different societies and circumstances, someone usually takes a “father role” in a child’s life • This can be a biological father, mother’s brother, grandfather, etc. • The variety of means to a single consequence suggests a functional purpose of the father role docsity.com Does society require certain roles/positions? docsity.com Davis’s necessary functions I. Maintenance of the population a) Provision of the nutriment b) Protection against injury c) Reproduction of new organisms II. Division of function among population III. Solidarity of the group a) Motivation of contact between members b) Motivation of mutual tolerance and resistance to outsiders IV. Perpetuation of the social system docsity.com Tumin’s necessary functions (1) to maintain the biologic functioning of the group members; (2) to reproduce new members for the group; (3) to socialize new members into functioning adults; (4) to produce and distribute goods and services necessary to life; (5) to maintain order within the group; and (6) to define the 'meaning of life' and maintain the motivation to survive and engage in the activities necessary for survival.” “As we look at human groups the world over we see that certain groups share in common the fact that all the activities in which they engage can be shown to function in the final analysis docsity.com Stratification in Society’s Primary Functions • Religion: Integrates beliefs, forms common goals. Priests manufacture their image. • Gov’t: Necessary for order, implies authority. • Wealth, Property, Labor: Index prestige. • Technical Knowledge: Finding means to goals. Requires knowledge and training. docsity.com Variation in Systems of Strat. • D&M argue for composite type classifications • Stage of development, size, and relationship to other societies are important determining factors • Societal Types vary by degree of: 1) Specialization, 2) Functional Emphasis, 3) Invidious Differences, 4) Opportunity, and 5) Stratum Solidarity • An example under their scheme would be a “Specialized, Theocratic, Inequalitarian, Immobile, Class-Organized Society” docsity.com Tumin’s response to Davis & Moore docsity.com 2) Limited number of talented people… a. Access to education depends on wealth of parents b. Unequal rewards in one generation  unequal motivation in the next c. Elites restrict access to privilege How well does a society know what talent exists? Stratified societies present obstacles to discovery of talent. Hinders society by limiting the discovery and training of important personnel. docsity.com 3) Training requires sacrifice… Sacrifices: a. Monetary a. Parents often finance education b. Make back more over a career b. Untrained workers accrue responsibilities and expenses before those being trained. c. Psychic and spiritual rewards. “Sacrifice” is a rationalization of privileged treatment. Imagine a society where training costs are born by society as a whole so that rewards can be equal. docsity.com 4) Positions must offer privilege… a. “Joy in work”. b. Social duty. Scarce and desired goods are not the only possible rewards for “sacrifice” and work. Imagine a society with different rewards. For example, a system of norms where doing your job is simply the morally right thing to do. docsity.com 7) Stratification is positive and inevitable Tumin has already shown many ways in which stratification is not positive. It is also not inevitable. Imagine a society where everyone is as socially worthy as everyone else as long as they do their jobs conscientiously. While some positions require more power and property, these could be defined as resources rather than rewards. docsity.com Dysfunctions of Stratification 1. Limits discovery of talent 2. Limits the expansion of productive resources (b/c of #1) 3. Elites have power to establish ideology that rationalizes the status quo. 4. Distributes “favorable self-image” unequally within a society 5. Encourages hostility, suspicion, and distrust among the different strata docsity.com Dysfunctions of Stratification (cont’d.) 6. Reduces feelings of membership within society through positions on the “prestige ladder” 7. Reduces loyalty (b/c of #6) 8. Reduces motivation to participate (b/c of #6) docsity.com Functional Stratification Revised: Simpson (2) • Simpson also adds other nuances to the theory: – Greater technological efficiency creates a surplus that allows tertiary job sector (services) to grow in size and diversity – People in higher positions have greater ability to reward, so privilege tends to propagate privilege docsity.com Functional Stratification Revised: Simpson (3) • Simpson also introduces cultural and historical aspects of stratification: – Halo Effect – History of Positions – Custom Do Simpson’s revisions redeem the flawed aspects of D&M’s original theory? docsity.com Stinchcombe, Conservative Nature of Functionalism • Many confusions “derive from a feeling that functional arguments assert that homeostatic variables constitute a list of good things about societies, and that focusing on the positive consequences of existing institutions tends in a conservative direction.” (p 91) • This relationship is not logically necessary. docsity.com Lenski and Socialist Nations • Looking at socialist experiments with unstratified societies can inform stratification theory. • Socialist experiments failed, therefore institutionalized inequality is necessary. docsity.com Failures (Lenski cont’d.) • Massive political inequality. • Stagnating economies due to problems with motivation. • No change in human nature. docsity.com Fischer, et al and America Explaining inequality in America raises two questions: 1. Who gets ahead and who falls behind? This depends primarily on social context. 2. What determines the rewards for getting ahead or falling behind? This depends primarily on policy decisions. Both are capable of changing, therefore, the current system of stratification is not necessary. docsity.com