Question 1

Think of an example of anomie and then explain how it comes about because people are pressured to achieve cultural standards but structurally, lack the means to do so.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Think of an example of anomie and...

Question 2

According to Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, societies need structural inequality because it is functional.

Accepted Answer

According to Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore's functionalist perspective, structural inequality is necessary for the functioning of society as it allows for the division of labor and specialization, which leads to social and economic efficiency. Therefore, societies need structural inequality because it is functional.

Question 3

Although structural functionalism takes various forms, societal functionalism is the dominant approach among sociological structural functionalists.

Accepted Answer

Societal functionalism is the most prominent type of structural functionalism, as it focuses on the functions and interdependence of various institutions in society.

Question 4

Tautology is the view that society (or other social structures) has purposes or goals.

Accepted Answer

Tautology refers to a statement or formula that is true in every possible interpretation, not to societal or structural purposes or goals.

Question 5

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore focused on how individuals come to occupy certain positions.

Accepted Answer

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore developed the "functionalist theory," which focuses on how individuals come to occupy certain positions in society.

Question 6

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore's functionalist explanation of inequality has been criticized because power, prestige, and income are only some of the motivations people have to fill different social positions.

Accepted Answer

While power, prestige, and income are important factors in determining social positions, there are many other motivations that people have for pursuing certain jobs or roles in society. Functionalism fails to account for the influence of cultural values, personal interest, and other social and economic factors that shape people's choices and opportunities.

Question 7

Using examples, explain whether you agree with Talcott Parsons or Robert K. Merton about the three postulates of structural functionalism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using examples, explain whether you agree with...

Question 8

Is systems theory subject to the same critiques that ultimately led to the downfall structural-functionalism?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is systems theory subject to the same...

Question 9

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore's functionalist explanation of inequality has been criticized for perpetuating the power, prestige, and resources of those already at the top of the social hierarchy.

Accepted Answer

Davis and Moore's functionalist explanation of inequality has been criticized for legitimizing and justifying the existing social hierarchy, rather than challenging it or proposing ways to disrupt it. This can ultimately perpetuate the concentration of power and resources in the hands of those who already hold high positions in the social order.

Question 10

Teleology is the view that society (or other social structures) has purposes or goals.

Accepted Answer

Teleology suggests that society has a purpose or end goal towards which it is directed.

Question 11

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore focused on how certain positions come to carry with them different degrees of prestige.

Accepted Answer

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore's theory of social stratification emphasized on how different positions in society are associated with different levels of status and prestige.

Question 12

The functions of some social processes may not take a structural form.

Accepted Answer

Some social processes, such as communication or negotiation, may not have a fixed or visible structure, but rather involve more fluid interactions between individuals or groups.

Question 13

The structures of society can be studied independently of their functions (or consequences).

Accepted Answer

Structuralism, as a sociological approach, focuses on analyzing the structures of society independently of their functions or consequences, emphasizing the underlying patterns and frameworks that shape social behavior and interactions.

Question 14

Most mediums of interexchange are symbolic.

Accepted Answer

Most mediums of interexchange such as language, art, gestures, and signals involve the use of symbols to convey meaning.

Question 15

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore's functionalist explanation of inequality has been criticized for perpetuating the power, prestige, and resources of those already at the top of the social hierarchy.

Accepted Answer

Davis and Moore's functionalist perspective argues that inequality is necessary for society to function and rewards individuals who successfully perform important roles. However, critics argue that this perpetuates the existing power, prestige, and resources of those already in the top positions and does not take into account the social and structural barriers that prevent certain groups from accessing those roles and resources.

Question 16

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore ague society consciously develops a stratification system in order to be sure that the high-level positions are adequately filled.

Accepted Answer

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore argue that social stratification is an unconscious outcome of a society's need to ensure that its most important positions are conscientiously filled by the most capable individuals, rather than a system consciously developed by society.

Question 17

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore's functionalist explanation of inequality has been criticized because there is no proof there is a scarcity of people to fill high-level positions.

Accepted Answer

The criticism of Davis and Moore's functionalist explanation is that there is no evidence to support their claim that there is a scarcity of qualified people to fill high-level positions.

Question 18

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore's functionalist explanation of inequality has been criticized because arguments can be made all social positions are important and necessary.

Accepted Answer

This is because functionalism posits that social inequality is necessary for the functioning and stability of society. However, critics argue that all social positions are important and necessary for societal functioning, and that there is no inherent reason for some positions to be valued more than others.

Question 19

According to Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, societies must overcome structural inequality to become fully functional.

Accepted Answer

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore argued that social stratification (and thus structural inequality) is necessary and inevitable in any society because it ensures that the most capable individuals fill the roles that are most important for the society's functioning.

Quiz 7: Structural Functionalism, Systems Theory, and Conflict Theory

Think of an example of anomie and then explain how it comes about because people are pressured to achieve cultural standards but structurally, lack the means to do so.

According to Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, societies need structural inequality because it is functional.

Although structural functionalism takes various forms, societal functionalism is the dominant approach among sociological structural functionalists.

Tautology is the view that society (or other social structures) has purposes or goals.

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore focused on how individuals come to occupy certain positions.

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore's functionalist explanation of inequality has been criticized because power, prestige, and income are only some of the motivations people have to fill different social positions.

Using examples, explain whether you agree with Talcott Parsons or Robert K. Merton about the three postulates of structural functionalism.

Is systems theory subject to the same critiques that ultimately led to the downfall structural-functionalism?

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore's functionalist explanation of inequality has been criticized for perpetuating the power, prestige, and resources of those already at the top of the social hierarchy.

Teleology is the view that society (or other social structures) has purposes or goals.

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore focused on how certain positions come to carry with them different degrees of prestige.

The functions of some social processes may not take a structural form.

The structures of society can be studied independently of their functions (or consequences).

Most mediums of interexchange are symbolic.

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore's functionalist explanation of inequality has been criticized for perpetuating the power, prestige, and resources of those already at the top of the social hierarchy.

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore ague society consciously develops a stratification system in order to be sure that the high-level positions are adequately filled.

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore's functionalist explanation of inequality has been criticized because there is no proof there is a scarcity of people to fill high-level positions.

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore's functionalist explanation of inequality has been criticized because arguments can be made all social positions are important and necessary.

According to Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, societies must overcome structural inequality to become fully functional.