the davis moore thesis states sociology quizlet

Davis-Moore Thesis: 10 Examples, Definition, Criticism

The Davis-Moore thesis is a sociological theory that posits that social stratification , or the division of society into hierarchical levels, is an inevitable and necessary feature of any complex society. 

Developed by American sociologists Talcott Parsons and Kingsley Davis in the 1940s and later expanded upon by William J. Moore, the thesis argues that social inequality is natural and functional for society.

Researchers believe social inequality plays a crucial role in society by incentivizing the most talented and skilled individuals to be rewarded based on their abilities, thus promoting a healthier and more prosperous overall community.

The thesis proposes that jobs that require more remarkable skills and have a more significant societal impact—such as doctors, lawyers, and scientists—should be paid higher salaries than less-skilled jobs, such as janitors and factory workers.

The Davis-Moore thesis has been a subject of much debate and criticism in sociology, but it remains an influential and widely cited theory in the study of social stratification.

Definition of Davis-Moore Thesis

The Davis-Moore thesis is a sociological theory that asserts that social stratification is a functional necessity, as it ensures the allocation of individuals into social positions according to their abilities and qualifications.

According to Macionis and Plummer (2012),

“…the Davis – Moore thesis implies that a productive society is a meritocracy , a system of social stratification based on personal merit” (p. 202). 

Sernau (2019) states that “stratification is universal, occurring in all societies, because it is necessary and inevitable, resulting from the need for a working social order” (p. 31).

The Davis-Moore thesis posits that individuals with more skills, knowledge, and education are more valuable to society and, thus, should be rewarded with higher social status , prestige, and income. 

This differential treatment motivates individuals to strive for excellence in their chosen fields, acquire new skills and knowledge, and perform critical social roles , contributing to society’s overall well-being.

So, in simple terms, the Davis-Moore thesis proposes that social stratification is an inevitable feature of any complex society and serves a functional purpose.

10 Examples of Davis-Moore Thesis

• Education : The Davis-Moore thesis proposes that education is correlated to social status, with higher educational attainment often leading to a more decent place in society. After all, those who have gone the extra mile and pursued further studies are usually better equipped for influential social roles within their communities.
• Income inequality : The Davis-Moore thesis maintains that income inequality is both expected and obligatory in our society. Its argument states that highly paid people have attained higher levels of education, skills, and knowledge, enabling them to complete essential social tasks more competently than others.
• Professional sports : The Davis-Moore thesis posits that professional athletes often receive some of the highest compensations in society thanks to their remarkable skills and abilities. Such a high income rewards these athletes’ invaluable contributions – entertaining people and igniting motivation in others – to our community.
• Military service : The Davis-Moore thesis would argue that military personnel occupies a high status in society because of their vital role in defending the nation and maintaining social order.
• Medical professions : Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are often seen as occupying high-status positions in society because of their specialized knowledge and skills.
• CEO compensation : The Davis-Moore thesis would suggest that CEOs of large companies are among the highest-paid individuals in society because of their essential role in guiding the strategic direction of their organizations and ensuring their long-term success.
• Political leadership : According to the Davis-Moore thesis, those who occupy political leadership positions are not just randomly chosen – they must possess remarkable abilities and be capable of motivating others. These individuals have outstanding skills, knowledge, and charisma that make them uniquely qualified to guide their peers effectively.
• Scientific research : The Davis-Moore thesis would suggest that scientists who make essential discoveries or contribute to the advancement of knowledge occupy high-status positions in society because of their valuable contributions to humanity’s collective knowledge.
• Creative professions : Artists, musicians, and writers are often seen as occupying high-status positions in society because of their unique skills and talents that allow them to produce works of art and literature that entertain and inspire others.
• Entrepreneurship : The Davis-Moore thesis would predict that successful entrepreneurs occupy high-status positions in society because of their innovative ideas, risk-taking behavior, and ability to create new businesses and generate wealth.

Origins of the Davis-Moore Thesis

The Davis-Moore thesis was developed in the mid-twentieth century by two American sociologists Talcott Parsons and Kingsley Davis. 

Davis’ groundbreaking article, “The Theory of Social Stratification,” was published in the  American Sociological Review  in 1940 and set the stage for Parsons to develop these ideas further. His magnum opus on this topic, The Social System , was released nearly a decade later in 1951 (Hauhart, 2003).

The origins of the Davis-Moore thesis can be traced back to earlier work in functionalist sociology, which emphasized the importance of social institutions in maintaining social order and stability.

This viewpoint considered social stratification an essential part of our world since it provided recognition to those with high skills and capabilities in return for their meaningful contributions to society (Berberoglu, 2017).

Davis and Moore built upon this functionalist perspective by arguing that social stratification was inevitable and beneficial for society.

They argued that social inequality encouraged individuals to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to perform critical social roles while incentivizing them to work hard and contribute to society’s overall well-being.

Social Stratification vs. Social Differentiation

Social stratification implies that individuals are placed into distinct classes based on their economic and social power. In contrast, social differentiation pushes the idea that people’s talents and traits impact which vocations they are suited for.

Social stratification systematically arranges individuals and groups into hierarchical categories based on social status, power, and wealth (Macionis & Plummer, 2012).

In contrast, social differentiation refers to how people and groups develop distinct characteristics, including capabilities, knowledge base, and values.

Social differentiation can arise through various means, such as education level, career path, cultural background, and gender.

However, social stratification is primarily based on an individual’s positioning within the societal ladder and typically depends upon financial standing, educational attainment, and vocation (Umanailo et al., 2020).

Social differentiation can lead to differences in status, power, and wealth, but these differences are not necessarily hierarchical or unequal.

In contrast, social stratification is characterized by a systematic and unequal distribution of resources and rewards across different social positions (Umanailo et al., 2020).

So, unlike social differentiation, a less structured form of separation, social stratification has rigid hierarchies where resources are unequally distributed among different social ranks.

Why Is Social Stratification Necessary?

According to the Davis-Moore thesis, social stratification is both necessary and inevitable in modern societies since it helps motivate individuals, allocate talents, entourage education, and maintain social order. 

Here are some of the key reasons why social stratification is necessary:

• Motivation: The unequal distribution of rewards motivates individuals to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to occupy higher positions in the social hierarchy. It, in turn, leads to greater productivity and innovation in society.
• Allocating Talent: Social stratification allows society to allocate talent and resources where they are most needed (Berberoglu, 2017). Individuals who possess valuable skills and knowledge are rewarded with higher positions in the social hierarchy, which allows society to benefit from their talents and abilities.
• Encouraging Education and Training: The presence of social stratification incentivizes people to dedicate themselves to education and training, as these skills are often crucial in obtaining the competencies and expertise needed to attain higher positions in the social structure.
• Maintaining Social Order : Social stratification is crucial for keeping society in order. It provides a structure of power and authority that makes it easier to comprehend one’s place within the social hierarchy while emphasizing individual rights and obligations (Umanailo et al., 2020). As such, this system enables citizens to understand their roles better and what they are entitled to or expected of them.

So, the Davis-Moore thesis professes that social stratification is essential for a functioning society.

Though one may view the unequal distribution of rewards as unjust, they argue it encourages individuals to obtain skills and knowledge needed to benefit their communities.

Criticism of Davis-Moore Thesis

The Davis-Moore thesis has been severely contested due to its assumption that merit alone determines social ranking and for disregarding the considerable power of social systems as well as institutions.

Here are some of the key criticisms of the Davis-Moore thesis:

• Not all rewards are based on merit : The Davis-Moore thesis suggests that prizes are allocated based on an individual’s talent and contributions to the public. Sadly, however, many rewards remain available due to external factors such as social class, skin color, and gender rather than genuine merit (Hurst et al., 2020).
• Ignores the role of power : This theory fails to analyze the role of power in constructing social stratification, overlooking the fact that those who possess higher positions have more authority and sway. Consequently, this allows them to sustain their status and restrict others from rising through the ranks.
• Overemphasizes the benefits of social stratification : According to the Davis-Moore thesis, social stratification is required and positive for society. Yet, this viewpoint has been criticized as it overlooks the potentially damaging consequences of unequal distributions of wealth, such as poverty, criminal behavior, and civil unrest.
• Ignores the role of social institutions : The Davis-Moore thesis overlooks the influence of social institutions, like the education and media sectors, in shaping social stratification. These institutions can reinforce and maintain social inequality instead of advancing meritocracy.
• Has inadequate empirical evidence : Critics have contended that the Davis-Moore thesis lacks sufficient empirical evidence, despite offering a theoretical framework for comprehending social stratification. The theory has been criticized for needing more practical support (Hauhart, 2003).

These criticisms highlight the pitfalls and oversights of the Davis-Moore thesis, thereby indicating that further research is needed to understand social stratification better. 

The Davis-Moore thesis proposes that social stratification is an inevitable and necessary feature of any complex society. It ensures that individuals are allocated to social positions according to their abilities, talents, and qualifications. 

According to the thesis, social inequality significantly impacts society as it motivates capable and skilled individuals to be acknowledged and rewarded for their abilities, ultimately contributing to the well-being and prosperity of the community.

Despite the ongoing controversy and debates surrounding this idea in sociology, it remains prominent and frequently referenced when analyzing social stratification.

The Davis-Moore thesis has provided several examples of high-status societal positions based on individual meritocracies, such as political leadership, medical professions, and successful entrepreneurship. 

 The Davis-Moore thesis continues to inform ongoing debates about social inequality and its role in shaping society.

Berberoglu, B. (2017).  Social theory: Classical and contemporary – a critical perspective . Routledge, an Imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group.

Hauhart, R. C. (2003). The davis-moore theory of stratification: The life course of a socially constructed classic.  The American Sociologist ,  34 (4), 5–24. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27700363

Hurst, C. E., Fitz, H. M., & Nurse, A. (2020).  Social inequality: Forms, causes, and consequences . Routledge.

Macionis, J. J., & Plummer, K. (2012).  Sociology: A global introduction  (5th ed.). Pearson/Prentice Hall. (Original work published 1997)

Sernau, S. R. (2019).  Social inequality in a global age . Sage Publications.

Umanailo, M. C. B., Umanailo, A. R., & Umanailo, A. D. S. (2020). Stratification and differentiation in the social life. In  SSOAR . SSOAR. https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-73973-5

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9.4 Theoretical Perspectives on Social Stratification

Learning objectives.

By the end of this section, you should be able to:

• Apply functionalist, conflict theory, and interactionist perspectives on social stratification

Basketball is one of the highest-paying professional sports and stratification exists even among teams in the NBA. For example, the Toronto Raptors hands out the lowest annual payroll, while the New York Knicks reportedly pays the highest. Stephen Curry, a Golden State Warriors guard, is one of the highest paid athletes in the NBA, earning around $43 million a year (Sports Illustrated 2020), whereas the lowest paid player earns just over $200,000 (ESPN 2021). Even within specific fields, layers are stratified, members are ranked, and inequality exists.

In sociology, even an issue such as NBA salaries can be seen from various points of view. Functionalists will examine the purpose of such high salaries, conflict theorists will study the exorbitant salaries as an unfair distribution of money, and symbolic interactionists will describe how players display that wealth. Social stratification takes on new meanings when it is examined from different sociological perspectives—functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.

Functionalism

In sociology, the functionalist perspective examines how society’s parts operate. According to functionalism, different aspects of society exist because they serve a vital purpose. What is the function of social stratification?

In 1945, sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore published the Davis-Moore thesis , which argued that the greater the functional importance of a social role, the greater must be the reward. The theory posits that social stratification represents the inherently unequal value of different work. Certain tasks in society are more valuable than others (for example, doctors or lawyers). Qualified people who fill those positions are rewarded more than others.

According to Davis and Moore, a firefighter’s job is more important than, for instance, a grocery store cashier’s job. The cashier position does not require similar skill and training level as firefighting. Without the incentive of higher pay, better benefits, and increased respect, why would someone be willing to rush into burning buildings? If pay levels were the same, the firefighter might as well work as a grocery store cashier and avoid the risk of firefighting. Davis and Moore believed that rewarding more important work with higher levels of income, prestige, and power encourages people to work harder and longer.

Davis and Moore stated that, in most cases, the degree of skill required for a job determines that job’s importance. They noted that the more skill required for a job, the fewer qualified people there would be to do that job. Certain jobs, such as cleaning hallways or answering phones, do not require much skill. Therefore, most people would be qualified for these positions. Other work, like designing a highway system or delivering a baby, requires immense skill limiting the number of people qualified to take on this type of work.

Many scholars have criticized the Davis-Moore thesis. In 1953, Melvin Tumin argued that it does not explain inequalities in the education system or inequalities due to race or gender. Tumin believed social stratification prevented qualified people from attempting to fill roles (Tumin 1953).

Conflict Theory

Conflict theorists are deeply critical of social stratification, asserting that it benefits only some people, not all of society. For instance, to a conflict theorist, it seems wrong that a basketball player is paid millions for an annual contract while a public school teacher may earn $35,000 a year. Stratification, conflict theorists believe, perpetuates inequality. Conflict theorists try to bring awareness to inequalities, such as how a rich society can have so many poor members.

Many conflict theorists draw on the work of Karl Marx. During the nineteenth-century era of industrialization, Marx believed social stratification resulted from people’s relationship to production. People were divided into two main groups: they either owned factories or worked in them. In Marx’s time, bourgeois capitalists owned high-producing businesses, factories, and land, as they still do today. Proletariats were the workers who performed the manual labor to produce goods. Upper-class capitalists raked in profits and got rich, while working-class proletariats earned skimpy wages and struggled to survive. With such opposing interests, the two groups were divided by differences of wealth and power. Marx believed workers experience deep alienation, isolation and misery resulting from powerless status levels (Marx 1848). Marx argued that proletariats were oppressed by the bourgeoisie.

Today, while working conditions have improved, conflict theorists believe that the strained working relationship between employers and employees still exists. Capitalists own the means of production, and a system is in place to make business owners rich and keep workers poor. According to conflict theorists, the resulting stratification creates class conflict.

Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionism uses everyday interactions of individuals to explain society as a whole. Symbolic interactionism examines stratification from a micro-level perspective. This analysis strives to explain how people’s social standing affects their everyday interactions.

In most communities, people interact primarily with others who share the same social standing. It is precisely because of social stratification that people tend to live, work, and associate with others like themselves, people who share their same income level, educational background, class traits and even tastes in food, music, and clothing. The built-in system of social stratification groups people together. This is one of the reasons why it was rare for a royal prince like England’s Prince William to marry a commoner.

Symbolic interactionists also note that people’s appearance reflects their perceived social standing. As discussed above, class traits seen through housing, clothing, and transportation indicate social status, as do hairstyles, taste in accessories, and personal style. Symbolic interactionists also analyze how individuals think of themselves or others interpretation of themselves based on these class traits.

To symbolically communicate social standing, people often engage in conspicuous consumption , which is the purchase and use of certain products to make a social statement about status. Carrying pricey but eco-friendly water bottles could indicate a person’s social standing, or what they would like others to believe their social standing is. Some people buy expensive trendy sneakers even though they will never wear them to jog or play sports. A $17,000 car provides transportation as easily as a $100,000 vehicle, but the luxury car makes a social statement that the less expensive car can’t live up to. All these symbols of stratification are worthy of examination by an interactionist.

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Module 5: Social Stratification and Inequality

Reading: theoretical perspectives on social stratification, functionalism.

In sociology, the functionalist perspective examines how society’s parts operate. According to functionalism, different aspects of society exist because they serve a needed purpose. What is the function of social stratification?

In 1945, sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore published the Davis-Moore thesis , which argued that the greater the functional importance of a social role, the greater must be the reward. The theory posits that social stratification represents the inherently unequal value of different work. Certain tasks in society are more valuable than others. Qualified people who fill those positions must be rewarded more than others.

According to Davis and Moore, a firefighter’s job is more important than, for instance, a grocery store cashier’s. The cashier position does not require the same skill and training level as firefighting. Without the incentive of higher pay and better benefits, why would someone be willing to rush into burning buildings? If pay levels were the same, the firefighter might as well work as a grocery store cashier. Davis and Moore believed that rewarding more important work with higher levels of income, prestige, and power encourages people to work harder and longer.

Davis and Moore stated that, in most cases, the degree of skill required for a job determines that job’s importance. They also stated that the more skill required for a job, the fewer qualified people there would be to do that job. Certain jobs, such as cleaning hallways or answering phones, do not require much skill. The employees don’t need a college degree. Other work, like designing a highway system or delivering a baby, requires immense skill.

In 1953, Melvin Tumin countered the Davis-Moore thesis in “Some Principles of Stratification: A Critical Analysis.” Tumin questioned what determined a job’s degree of importance. The Davis-Moore thesis does not explain, he argued, why a media personality with little education, skill, or talent becomes famous and rich on a reality show or a campaign trail. The thesis also does not explain inequalities in the education system or inequalities due to race or gender. Tumin believed social stratification prevented qualified people from attempting to fill roles (Tumin 1953). For example, an underprivileged youth has less chance of becoming a scientist, no matter how smart she is, because of the relative lack of opportunity available to her. The Davis-Moore thesis also does not explain why a basketball player earns millions of dollars a year when a doctor who saves lives, a soldier who fights for others’ rights, and a teacher who helps form the minds of tomorrow will likely not make millions over the course of their careers.

The Davis-Moore thesis, though open for debate, was an early attempt to explain why stratification exists. The thesis states that social stratification is necessary to promote excellence, productivity, and efficiency, thus giving people something to strive for. Davis and Moore believed that the system serves society as a whole because it allows everyone to benefit to a certain extent.

Conflict Theory

These people are protesting a decision made by Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee, to lay off custodians and outsource the jobs to a private firm to avoid paying employee benefits. Private job agencies often pay lower hourly wages. Is the decision fair? (Photo courtesy of Brian Stansberry/Wikimedia Commons)

Conflict theorists are deeply critical of social stratification, asserting that it benefits only some people, not all of society. For instance, to a conflict theorist, it seems wrong that a basketball player is paid millions for an annual contract while a public school teacher earns $35,000 a year. Stratification, conflict theorists believe, perpetuates inequality. Conflict theorists try to bring awareness to inequalities, such as how a rich society can have so many poor members.

Many conflict theorists draw on the work of Karl Marx. During the nineteenth-century era of industrialization, Marx believed social stratification resulted from people’s relationship to production. People were divided by a single line: they either owned factories or worked in them. In Marx’s time, bourgeois capitalists owned high-producing businesses, factories, and land, as they still do today. Proletariats were the workers who performed the manual labor to produce goods. Upper-class capitalists raked in profits and got rich, while working-class proletariats earned skimpy wages and struggled to survive. With such opposing interests, the two groups were divided by differences of wealth and power. Marx saw workers experience deep alienation, isolation and misery resulting from powerless status levels (Marx 1848). Marx argued that proletariats were oppressed by the money-hungry bourgeois.

Today, while working conditions have improved, conflict theorists believe that the strained working relationship between employers and employees still exists. Capitalists own the means of production, and a system is in place to make business owners rich and keep workers poor. According to conflict theorists, the resulting stratification creates class conflict. If he were alive in today’s economy, as it recovers from a prolonged recession, Marx would likely have argued that the recession resulted from the greed of capitalists, satisfied at the expense of working people.

Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionism is a theory that uses everyday interactions of individuals to explain society as a whole. Symbolic interactionism examines stratification from a micro-level perspective. This analysis strives to explain how people’s social standing affects their everyday interactions.

In most communities, people interact primarily with others who share the same social standing. It is precisely because of social stratification that people tend to live, work, and associate with others like themselves, people who share their same income level, educational background, or racial background, and even tastes in food, music, and clothing. The built-in system of social stratification groups people together. This is one of the reasons why it was rare for a royal prince like England’s Prince William to marry a commoner.

Symbolic interactionists also note that people’s appearance reflects their perceived social standing. Housing, clothing, and transportation indicate social status, as do hairstyles, taste in accessories, and personal style.

(a) A group of construction workers on the job site, and (b) a group of businessmen. What categories of stratification do these construction workers share? How do construction workers differ from executives or custodians? Who is more skilled? Who has greater prestige in society? (Photo (a) courtesy of Wikimedia Commons; Photo (b) courtesy of Chun Kit/flickr)

To symbolically communicate social standing, people often engage in conspicuous consumption , which is the purchase and use of certain products to make a social statement about status. Carrying pricey but eco-friendly water bottles could indicate a person’s social standing. Some people buy expensive trendy sneakers even though they will never wear them to jog or play sports. A $17,000 car provides transportation as easily as a $100,000 vehicle, but the luxury car makes a social statement that the less expensive car can’t live up to. All these symbols of stratification are worthy of examination by an interactionist.

Think It Over

• Analyze the Davis-Moore thesis. Do you agree with Davis and Moore? Does social stratification play an important function in society? What examples can you think of that support the thesis? What examples can you think of that refute the thesis?
• Consider social stratification from the symbolic interactionist perspective. How does social stratification influence the daily interactions of individuals? How do systems of class, based on factors such as prestige, power, income, and wealth, influence your own daily routines, as well as your beliefs and attitudes? Illustrate your ideas with specific examples and anecdotes from your own life and the lives of people in your community.

1. The basic premise of the Davis-Moore thesis is that the unequal distribution of rewards in social stratification:

• is an outdated mode of societal organization
• is an artificial reflection of society
• serves a purpose in society
• cannot be justified

2. Unlike Davis and Moore, Melvin Tumin believed that, because of social stratification, some qualified people were _______ higher-level job positions.

• denied the opportunity to obtain
• encouraged to train for
• often fired from
• forced into

3. Which statement represents stratification from the perspective of symbolic interactionism?

• Men often earn more than women, even working the same job.
• After work, Pat, a janitor, feels more comfortable eating in a truck stop than a French restaurant.
• Doctors earn more money because their job is more highly valued.
• Teachers continue to struggle to keep benefits such as health insurance.

4. When Karl Marx said workers experience alienation, he meant that workers:

• must labor alone, without companionship
• do not feel connected to their work
• move from one geographical location to another
• have to put forth self-effort to get ahead

5. Conflict theorists view capitalists as those who:

• are ambitious
• fund social services
• spend money wisely
• get rich while workers stay poor

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Open Education Sociology Dictionary

Davis-Moore thesis

Table of Contents

Definition of Davis-Moore Thesis

( noun )  Theory asserting that stratification and inequality are necessary and beneficial to society to motivate individuals to train for and perform complex roles .

Example of Davis-Moore Thesis

• Medical doctors must undergo years of education and training. Therefore they are economically rewarded and respected within society .

Etymology of Davis-Moore Thesis

• Developed by Kingsley Davis (1908–1997) and Wilbert E. Moore (1914–1987) and published in “ Some Principles of Stratification ” (1945).

Davis-Moore Thesis Pronunciation

Pronunciation Usage Guide

Syllabification : da·vis moore the·sis

Audio Pronunciation

International Phonetic Alphabet

• American English – /ˈdeɪvəs-mɔr ˈθisəs/
• British English – /ˈdeɪvɪs-mʊə ˈθiːsɪs/

Usage Notes

• The Davis-Moore thesis is a functionalist theory that contends  society is a meritocracy and rewards people for their efforts and abilities through mobility and monetary rewards.
• The Davis-Moore thesis is still contested in the social sciences and referred to as the Davis-Moore debate .
• Davis-Moore hypothesis
• Davis-Moore theory
• Davis-Moore theory of stratification

Related Quotations

• “If the rights and perquisites of different positions in a  society must be unequal, then the  society must be stratified , because that is precisely what stratification means. Social inequality is thus an unconsciously evolved device by which  societies insure that the most important positions are conscientiously filled by the most qualified persons . Hence every society , no matter how simple or complex, must differentiate persons in terms of both prestige and esteem, and must therefore possess a certain amount of institutionalized inequality ” (Davis and Moore 1945:243).
• “In 1945 Davis and Moore, following an earlier formulation by Davis, proposed a functional theory of stratification that was intended to account for what they contended was the “universal necessity” for social inequality in any social order. Beginning with an article by [Melvin] Tumin in 1953, the Davis-Moore theory elicited regular analysis , commentary, criticism, and debate through the 1970s. Although professional work on the theory has largely ceased since the late 1980s, the Davis-Moore theory remains perhaps the single most widely cited paper in American introductory sociology and stratification textbooks and constitutes “required reading” in hundreds, if not thousands, of undergraduate and graduate courses throughout the United States ” (Hauhart 2003:5).

Additional Information

• Word origin of “thesis” – Online Etymology Dictionary: etymonline.com
• Abrahamson, Mark. 1973. “Functionalism and the Functional Theory of Stratification: An Empirical Assessment.” American Journal of Sociology   78(5):1236–46. doi: 10.1086/225429 .
• Bershady, Harold J. 1970. “On Davis and Moore Again, or Dissensus and the Stability of Social Systems.” The British Journal of Sociology   21(4):446–54. doi: 10.2307/588499 .
• Betz, Michael, Kemp Davis, and Patrick Miller. 1978. “Scarcity, Income Advantage, and Mobility: More Evidence on the Functional Theory of Stratification.” Sociological Quarterly   19(3):399–413. doi: 10.1111/j.1533-8525.1978.tb01184.x .

Davis, Kingsley, and Wilbert E. Moore. 1945. “Some Principles of Stratification.” American Sociological Review  10(2):242–49. doi: 10.2307/2085643 .

• Kimberly, James C. 1970. “The Emergence and Stabilization of Stratification in Simple and Complex Social Systems.” Sociological Inquiry   40(2):73–101. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-682x.1970.tb01003.x .

Hauhart, Robert C. 2003. “The Davis-Moore theory of Stratification: The Life Course of a Socially Constructed Classic.” The American Sociologist  34(4):5–24. doi: 10.1007/s12108-003-1013-y .

• Huaco, George A. 1966. “The Functionalist Theory of Stratification: Two Decades of Controversy.” Inquiry   9(1–4):215–40. doi: 10.1080/00201746608601459 .
• Panayotakis, Costas. 2014. “Capitalism, Meritocracy, and Social Stratification: A Radical Reformulation of the Davis-Moore Thesis.” American Journal of Economics and Sociology   73(1):126–50. doi: 10.1111/ajes.12068 .
• Wanner, Richard A., and Lionel S. Lewis. 1978. “The Functional Theory of Stratification: A Test of Some Structural Hypotheses.” Sociological Quarterly   19(3):414–28. doi: 10.1111/j.1533-8525.1978.tb01185.x .

Related Terms

• functionalism
• meritocracy
• stratification

Works Consulted

Abercrombie, Nicholas, Stephen Hill, and Bryan Turner. 2006. The Penguin Dictionary of Sociology . 5th ed. London: Penguin.

Griffiths, Heather, Nathan Keirns, Eric Strayer, Susan Cody-Rydzewski, Gail Scaramuzzo, Tommy Sadler, Sally Vyain, Jeff Bry, Faye Jones. 2016. Introduction to Sociology 2e . Houston, TX: OpenStax.

Jary, David, and Julia Jary. 2000. Collins Dictionary of Sociology . 3rd ed. Glasgow, Scotland: HarperCollins.

Macionis, John. 2012.  Sociology . 14th ed. Boston: Pearson.

Ravelli, Bruce, and Michelle Webber. 2016. Exploring Sociology: A Canadian Perspective . 3rd ed. Toronto: Pearson.

Scott, John, and Gordon Marshall. 2005. A Dictionary of Sociology . New York: Oxford University Press.

Turner, Bryan S., ed. 2006. The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Wikipedia contributors. (N.d.) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia . Wikimedia Foundation. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/ ).

Cite the Definition of Davis-Moore Thesis

ASA – American Sociological Association (5th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “Davis-Moore thesis.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary . Retrieved April 9, 2024 ( https://sociologydictionary.org/davis-moore-thesis/ ).

APA – American Psychological Association (6th edition)

Davis-Moore thesis. (2013). In K. Bell (Ed.), Open education sociology dictionary . Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/davis-moore-thesis/

Chicago/Turabian: Author-Date – Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “Davis-Moore thesis.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary . Accessed April 9, 2024. https://sociologydictionary.org/davis-moore-thesis/ .

MLA – Modern Language Association (7th edition)

“Davis-Moore thesis.” Open Education Sociology Dictionary . Ed. Kenton Bell. 2013. Web. 9 Apr. 2024. < https://sociologydictionary.org/davis-moore-thesis/ >.

SOC101: Introduction to Sociology (2020.A.01)

Social stratification in the united states.

• Read the introduction to social stratification, paying attention to Robert and Joan's story. Make guesses or connections between the example provided and why you think this example might be an introduction to stratification.
• Take notes on the bold terms as well as on the three systems of stratification. What stratification system is found in the U.S.? How might this affect one's life chances?
• Take note of the different classes found in the United States and the types of mobility. Other than homes or luxury items, what are some things money can buy that are not readily available to people living in the lower class? How might being in the lower class affect one's chances at upward social mobility?
• Read the two sections found in this chapter. In addition, you should spend a few minutes comparing the two photos in Figure 1, jotting down some thoughts on the photos and the accompanying text.
• Take note of the three different theoretical approaches to studying social stratification. How do you think Marx would view the Davis-Moore thesis?

Theoretical Perspectives on Social Stratification

Learning objectives.

• Understand and apply functionalist, conflict theory, and interactionist perspectives on social stratification

Basketball is one of the highest-paying professional sports. There is stratification even among teams. For example, the Minnesota Timberwolves hand out the lowest annual payroll, while the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly pay the highest. Kobe Bryant, a Lakers shooting guard, is one of the highest paid athletes in the NBA, earning around $30.5 million a year (Forbes 2014). Even within specific fields, layers are stratified and members are ranked. In sociology, even an issue such as NBA salaries can be seen from various points of view. Functionalists will examine the purpose of such high salaries, while conflict theorists will study the exorbitant salaries as an unfair distribution of money. Social stratification takes on new meanings when it is examined from different sociological perspectives - functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.

Functionalism

In sociology, the functionalist perspective examines how society's parts operate. According to functionalism, different aspects of society exist because they serve a needed purpose. What is the function of social stratification? In 1945, sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore published the Davis-Moore thesis , which argued that the greater the functional importance of a social role, the greater must be the reward. The theory posits that social stratification represents the inherently unequal value of different work. Certain tasks in society are more valuable than others. Qualified people who fill those positions must be rewarded more than others. According to Davis and Moore, a firefighter's job is more important than, for instance, a grocery store cashier's. The cashier position does not require the same skill and training level as firefighting. Without the incentive of higher pay and better benefits, why would someone be willing to rush into burning buildings? If pay levels were the same, the firefighter might as well work as a grocery store cashier. Davis and Moore believed that rewarding more important work with higher levels of income, prestige, and power encourages people to work harder and longer. Davis and Moore stated that, in most cases, the degree of skill required for a job determines that job's importance. They also stated that the more skill required for a job, the fewer qualified people there would be to do that job. Certain jobs, such as cleaning hallways or answering phones, do not require much skill. The employees don't need a college degree. Other work, like designing a highway system or delivering a baby, requires immense skill. In 1953, Melvin Tumin countered the Davis-Moore thesis in "Some Principles of Stratification: A Critical Analysis". Tumin questioned what determined a job's degree of importance. The Davis-Moore thesis does not explain, he argued, why a media personality with little education, skill, or talent becomes famous and rich on a reality show or a campaign trail. The thesis also does not explain inequalities in the education system or inequalities due to race or gender. Tumin believed social stratification prevented qualified people from attempting to fill roles (Tumin 1953). For example, an underprivileged youth has less chance of becoming a scientist, no matter how smart she is, because of the relative lack of opportunity available to her. The Davis-Moore thesis also does not explain why a basketball player earns millions of dollars a year when a doctor who saves lives, a soldier who fights for others' rights, and a teacher who helps form the minds of tomorrow will likely not make millions over the course of their careers. The Davis-Moore thesis, though open for debate, was an early attempt to explain why stratification exists. The thesis states that social stratification is necessary to promote excellence, productivity, and efficiency, thus giving people something to strive for. Davis and Moore believed that the system serves society as a whole because it allows everyone to benefit to a certain extent.

Conflict Theory

Figure 9.13 These people are protesting a decision made by Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee, to lay off custodians and outsource the jobs to a private firm to avoid paying employee benefits. Private job agencies often pay lower hourly wages. Is the decision fair? Conflict theorists are deeply critical of social stratification, asserting that it benefits only some people, not all of society. For instance, to a conflict theorist, it seems wrong that a basketball player is paid millions for an annual contract while a public school teacher earns $35,000 a year. Stratification, conflict theorists believe, perpetuates inequality. Conflict theorists try to bring awareness to inequalities, such as how a rich society can have so many poor members. Many conflict theorists draw on the work of Karl Marx. During the nineteenth-century era of industrialization, Marx believed social stratification resulted from people's relationship to production. People were divided by a single line: they either owned factories or worked in them. In Marx's time, bourgeois capitalists owned high-producing businesses, factories, and land, as they still do today. Proletariats were the workers who performed the manual labor to produce goods. Upper-class capitalists raked in profits and got rich, while working-class proletariats earned skimpy wages and struggled to survive. With such opposing interests, the two groups were divided by differences of wealth and power. Marx saw workers experience deep alienation, isolation and misery resulting from powerless status levels (Marx 1848). Marx argued that proletariats were oppressed by the money-hungry bourgeois. Today, while working conditions have improved, conflict theorists believe that the strained working relationship between employers and employees still exists. Capitalists own the means of production, and a system is in place to make business owners rich and keep workers poor. According to conflict theorists, the resulting stratification creates class conflict. If he were alive in today's economy, as it recovers from a prolonged recession, Marx would likely have argued that the recession resulted from the greed of capitalists, satisfied at the expense of working people.

Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionism is a theory that uses everyday interactions of individuals to explain society as a whole. Symbolic interactionism examines stratification from a micro-level perspective. This analysis strives to explain how people's social standing affects their everyday interactions. In most communities, people interact primarily with others who share the same social standing. It is precisely because of social stratification that people tend to live, work, and associate with others like themselves, people who share their same income level, educational background, or racial background, and even tastes in food, music, and clothing. The built-in system of social stratification groups people together. This is one of the reasons why it was rare for a royal prince like England's Prince William to marry a commoner. Symbolic interactionists also note that people's appearance reflects their perceived social standing. Housing, clothing, and transportation indicate social status, as do hairstyles, taste in accessories, and personal style.

Figure 9.14 (a) A group of construction workers on the job site, and (b) a group of businessmen. What categories of stratification do these construction workers share? How do construction workers differ from executives or custodians? Who is more skilled? Who has greater prestige in society? To symbolically communicate social standing, people often engage in conspicuous consumption , which is the purchase and use of certain products to make a social statement about status. Carrying pricey but eco-friendly water bottles could indicate a person's social standing. Some people buy expensive trendy sneakers even though they will never wear them to jog or play sports. A $17,000 car provides transportation as easily as a $100,000 vehicle, but the luxury car makes a social statement that the less expensive car can't live up to. All these symbols of stratification are worthy of examination by an interactionist.

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