Functionalist Theory of Stratification » Performance and Rewards

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

The functionalist theory of stratification and its key principles
Davis and Moore's theory on social inequality
How societies distribute rewards based on functional importance
The relationship between performance, rewards and social positions
Criticisms of the functionalist approach to stratification
Real-world examples and case studies of stratification systems

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Functionalist Theory of Stratification: Performance and Rewards

Social stratification is the way society is organised in layers or strata. Functionalists believe this layering isn't random but serves an important purpose for society. This session explores how functionalists explain why some people get more rewards than others and how this connects to their performance in society.

Key Definitions:

Social Stratification: The division of society into different layers or classes based on factors like wealth, power and status.
Meritocracy: A system where people are rewarded based on their abilities, talents and hard work rather than their background.
Social Mobility: The movement of individuals between different social positions.
Functional Importance: How necessary a role is for society's survival and smooth functioning.

Davis and Moore's Theory of Stratification

In 1945, two American sociologists, Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, published what became one of the most influential functionalist explanations of stratification. Their theory focuses on how societies distribute rewards to ensure the most important positions are filled by the most qualified people.

💡 The Basic Argument

Davis and Moore argued that social inequality is both inevitable and necessary for society to function properly. They believed stratification exists in all societies because it serves an important purpose: making sure the most talented people take on the most important jobs.

🛠 The Problem of Staffing

Every society faces the challenge of getting the right people into the right positions. Some jobs are more important than others and require special skills or training. To motivate people to take these positions, society must offer greater rewards.

How the System Works According to Functionalists

Functionalists believe social stratification works like this:

Different positions have different importance - Some jobs (like doctors) are more crucial for society than others.
Important positions require special talents or training - These positions are harder to fill because they need rare skills or years of education.
Greater rewards motivate people - Higher pay, status and privileges encourage talented people to pursue difficult but important roles.
The system benefits everyone - Society runs smoothly when the most qualified people fill the most important positions.

🎓 Functional Importance

How essential a role is to society's functioning. Doctors are highly important because they save lives. Without them, society would suffer greatly.

🚀 Scarcity of Personnel

How difficult it is to find people who can perform a role. Becoming a surgeon requires rare talent and many years of training, making qualified surgeons scarce.

💰 Rewards

What people receive for their work. Includes money, status, power and privileges. Higher rewards go to positions that are more important and harder to fill.

Examples of Performance and Rewards in Action

Case Study: Doctors vs Refuse Collectors

Doctors receive higher rewards (pay, status, respect) than refuse collectors because:

Their role is seen as more functionally important (saving lives)
Becoming a doctor requires rare talents and 5-7+ years of training
Without high rewards, fewer talented people would endure the long, difficult training

However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, refuse collectors were recognised as "essential workers," highlighting that functional importance can change based on circumstances.

The Logic of Unequal Rewards

Functionalists argue that unequal rewards serve these purposes:

📝 Motivation

Higher rewards motivate people to take on difficult roles and acquire necessary skills. If all jobs paid the same, why would anyone spend years studying to become a doctor or engineer?

🎯 Efficiency

The system ensures the most talented people end up in the most important positions, making society run more efficiently. This benefits everyone, even those in lower positions.

Criticisms of the Functionalist Theory

While the functionalist theory provides a neat explanation for stratification, it has faced significant criticism:

Who decides what's important? The theory assumes there's agreement on which roles are most important, but this is subjective and often reflects the values of those already in power.
Rewards don't always match importance - Many crucial jobs (like nurses, teachers and childcare workers) are poorly paid despite their importance.
Ignores power and conflict - The theory overlooks how powerful groups maintain their advantage by controlling access to opportunities.
Not everyone has equal opportunity - The theory assumes a level playing field, but factors like wealth, connections and discrimination affect who can access education and opportunities.
Justifies inequality - Critics argue the theory simply provides an excuse for existing inequalities rather than explaining them.

Case Study: CEOs vs Nurses

In 2020, the average FTSE 100 CEO earned £3.6 million per year, while the average NHS nurse earned around £33,000. Functionalists might explain this by saying:

CEO positions require rare leadership skills and business acumen
CEOs make decisions affecting thousands of jobs and billions in revenue
High salaries are needed to attract the best talent to these positions

Critics would counter that:

Nurses provide essential care that directly saves lives
The pandemic demonstrated nurses' crucial importance to society
The gap reflects power differences rather than functional importance

Tumin's Critique of Davis and Moore

Sociologist Melvin Tumin offered one of the most comprehensive critiques of the functionalist theory of stratification. He argued that:

The system discourages talent in lower classes who can't access opportunities
Social inequality often reflects inherited privilege rather than merit
The theory ignores how stratification can create social problems and inefficiency
Many rewards are based on tradition or power rather than functional importance

Modern Applications and Relevance

Despite its criticisms, the functionalist theory remains relevant for understanding certain aspects of modern society:

💼 Meritocratic Elements

Many modern societies do attempt to reward performance through educational qualifications, professional certifications and performance-based pay. These systems try to link rewards to functional contribution, though they don't always succeed.

🔬 Policy Debates

Debates about minimum wage, executive pay and public sector salaries often invoke functionalist arguments about what different roles "deserve" based on their contribution to society.

Conclusion: Balancing the Perspective

The functionalist theory of stratification provides one lens for understanding why societies distribute rewards unequally. While it has significant limitations, it highlights important questions about how societies motivate people to take on different roles and acquire necessary skills.

For your iGCSE Sociology exam, remember to:

Understand the key principles of Davis and Moore's theory
Be able to explain how functionalists connect performance to rewards
Know the main criticisms of the functionalist approach
Use examples to illustrate both the theory and its limitations
Consider how the theory relates to debates about inequality in contemporary society

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