D) is driven by the need to invent new medicines. Functionalists believe that society is a system that works together in order for it to funtction. Marx’s views on social stratification continue to influence many sociologists and debates within the sociology of stratification. Davis and Moore proposed this theory in 1945. The ruling class exploits and oppresses the subject class causing conflict between them. Unlike functionalists, conflict theorists believe that the medical system: A) reinforces social inequality. Functionalists believe that social class inequalities are necessary as they motivate people to take on important positions. Structural functionalists believe that society leans towards social equilibrium and social order. Davis and Moore stated that society sorts and sifts people into the “correct roles”. Conflict theorists view education as a means of widening the gap in social inequality. They believe that people in society work together for the common good of all, this is known as the organic analogy. Functionalists believe that the society needs inequality in order for it to function smoothly whereas conflict theorists believe society is structured on inequality and exploitation. Their perspective of social inequality is the belief that "inequality is not only inevitable but also necessary for the smooth functioning of society." Functionalists believe that because social inequality is universal, inequality must help societies to survive. one person has more friends than another. Functionalists insist that the education system plays a vital part in secondary socialisation, passing on core values to successfully integrate individuals into society. One view aligns with the functionalist theory, and the other aligns with conflict theory. Some degree of social inequality is found in every society. A sociological viewpoint that argues that social inequality is necessary for the survival of any society or for any small or large organization. The main source for the ideas below is Bowles and Ginits (1976): Schooling in Capitalist America. Example: Davis and Moore focus on the relationship between education and social inequality, arguing that inequality is necessary to ensure that the most important roles in society are filled by the most skilled/talented people. They stress that schools admit pupils according to social background, thus preserving class-related inequalities. Functionalists believe that through education, individuals will learn the skills and lessons needed in order to perform various functional roles within a society. There is a consensus that even though poverty is a social problem, it isn’t as abundant as we think it is. Proponents of this theoretical outlook point out that the poor play a central role in society and are necessary for several reasons. This is a system based on the idea that social stratification is necessary and desirable for the society. They see society like a human body, in which institutions such as education are like important organs that keep the society/body healthy and well. Functionalists focus on the positive functions of education – creating social solidarity, teaching core values and work skills and role allocation/ meritocracy Functionalists focus on the positive functions performed by the education system. They believe that capitalism creates inequality and allows those with wealth to keep theirs. This is a system based on the idea that social stratification is necessary and desirable for the society. Some argue that social wage provides free state resources on top of payment to individual. They believe that inequality is both inevitable and functional. Why do functionalists believe inequality is not a problem, where conflict theorists believe inequality is a problem for society? ... Davis and Moore, two functionalists, believe that stratification results in ____, which refers to a hierarchy in which all positions are rewarded based on people's ability and credentials. ‘Social inequality is the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social positions or statuses within a group or society.’ [Study.com] Between social classes there is a distinct difference in the way they are treated within society. an unequal distribution of resources in society. Functionalists believe that inequality is a good thing, or maybe more accurately, a necessary evil. Marxism is often referred to as a conflict theory. ; structural-functionalist approach: A sociological approach to poverty that maintains that all parts of society (even poverty) contribute in some way or another to the larger system’s stability. C) is devised against pharmaceutical lobbyists. The answer is (C). heterosexual and monogamous) and parents can control children.This arrangement meets the needs of industrial society. There are two main views of social inequality within sociology. Functionalists argue that inequalities have a purpose; they are functional for society. Contemporary conflict theorists believe that human beings are prone to conflict over such scarce resources as wealth, status, and power. Marx believed that social change is the natural order of societies. Marx believed that these factors would widen the gap between the bourgeoisie and proletariat. a. This is argued because all society is stratified. A summary of Part X (Section4) in 's Social Stratification and Inequality. Assess the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding of the family. In analyzing social inequality, functionalists ask: asked May 6, 2017 in Sociology by Aurora. Marx did not believe that stratification was inevitable, but he did see inequality and oppression as in­herent in capitalism (E. Wright, 1980a, 1980b; E. Wright et al., 1982). Q. Functionalists also believe that a successful society has a stable social structure, in which different institutions perform unique functions that contribute to the maintenance of the whole – in the same way that the different organs of the body perform different functions to keep a human being healthy. Key Terms. Each of these parts has to be working correctly but if something does go wrong then society has mechanisms to … They argue that meritocracy exists, and inequality is justifiable in society. Durkheim believed that education helps to create social order based on cohesion and value consensus, and to strengthen social solidarity. Social class, gender, ethnicity and age are all sources of inequality in modern British society. Functionalists believe that society is based on a value consensus rather than conflict which creates social order and stability. Discuss the different approaches of the functionalist and conflict perspectives on social inequality. Sick role is a term used in medical sociology regarding sickness and the rights and obligations of the affected. The Functions of Social Stratification. Functionalists believe all inequality has a purpose and are functional to society. Inequality is the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social positions in a society and recurrent patterns of unequal distributions of goods, wealth, opportunities etc. Religion as a conservative force means that it keeps things the same – religion is a force for stability and social order. Role of Behavior. It is evident that both the Functionalist and Marxist see the world in terms of their values and attitudes. These are two types of social solidarity Durkheim believed in: Mechanical Solidarity – These societies have people involved in similar roles so labour division is simple. Conflict approach states that education aims to promote social inequality and conserve the power of the people who rule the nation while functionalists view educational institutions as … Values, norms and beliefs transmits social norms and values resulting in social cohesion, enabling society to function and a form of social order. Why do functionalists believe inequality is not a problem, where conflict theorists believe inequality is a problem for society? Functionalists believe that education equips people to perform different functional roles in society. Trying to artificially remove natural social inequality simply leads to injustice, misery and poverty. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of Social Stratification and Inequality and what it means. Conflict theory does not dispute most of the functions just described. Symbolic interactionists examine stratification from a micro-level perspective. asked Apr 14, 2017 in Sociology by trevisimo. It is argued that without this inequality, division of labour would be difficult (not everyone can be team captain). Their perspective of social inequality is the belief that "inequality is not only inevitable but also necessary for the smooth functioning of society’. The key point of the theory is that Stratification is universal and necessary.