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Functionalist Theory of Inequality - 40 marker Study Guide
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Exam guide/plan for sociological theories of inequality in A2 Sociology Unit 3.
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AO1 - Functionalists believe in the theory of Social Darwinism to explain inequality.● Social Darwinism stems from Charles Darwin’s theory of Survival of the Fittest
○ Herbert Spencer - English Philosopher and Anthropologist.
○ Believed some groups were superior to others = more predisposed to
success.
○ Applied this to society - white people in the 19th century were biologically
determined to be successful, ethnic minorities were not.
○ Poverty and Inequality - a social punishment for those who don't know any
better. Therefore, they need to be controlled through institutions -
workhouses, slavery.
AO3 -Supported by modern new Right theorists
● Charles Murray’s Underclass theory
○ The ‘Underclass’ is made up of single mother families and ethnic
minorities who are socialised to rely on the state due to their innate
laziness.
● However, several issues with the theory
○ Lacks temporal validity - Spencer is a 19th Century writer.
○ Science has disproved the theory that some races are inherently
smarter than others.
○ Ignores purposeful institutional racism as a way of causing inequality.
○ Associated with Nazism and the Eugenics movement - advocates
genocide or sterilisation
AO1 - The Organic Analogy can be used to explain inequality.
● Emile Durkheim - founding father of sociological research
○ Society is like a body with various parts to ensure that it is working
properly.
○ Some parts are more important than others but they all play apart to
ensure it is all working properly.
○ Inequality is a sign of a complex, working society .
■ A doctor and a binman are not equal but both are necessary
for a working complex society.
● Supported by Talcott Parsons
○ Roles In society need to be unequal
○ Women have to remain in expressive, domestic roles whereas men
have to stay in instrumental roles for adequate socialisation of the next
generation
AO3 - Issues with this theory
● Footballers earn more than Doctors but Functionalists claim Doctors are
amongst the most important in society - how do they explain/defend this
inequality?
● Feminist thinkers - argument is sexist.
○ Anne Okaley - examination of socialisation process shows how boys
and girls were socialised
○ Socialisation of boys and girls needs to be changed in order for
society as a whole to become equal.
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