Davis and Moore examined role allocation. They believe that
education selects talented individuals and allocates them to the
most important roles in society. Higher rewards for jobs such as
GP’s and pilots encourages competition. Davis and Moore believe
that education sifts and sorts according to ability.
They say that every society sorts its members into different
position. They think that these are rules for how education does
this – called ‘principles of stratification’.
They believe that there has to be a system of unequal rewards
(more money or status) to motivate people to train for the top
position. They added that education sorts people out according to
their talents and abilities. According to them those who do best at
school will do best in societies.
Davis and Moore argue that without the stratification system,
society would break down. stratification has the function of role
allocation. It makes sure the most able and talented to do the most
important job. Inequality and reward and status are essential to
motivate the best individuals to take on the roles and jobs. These
roles require long period of training.High rewards compensate
people for spending a long time in education and training. This
argument is often used to justify high rewards given to company
directors and even famous sport stars.
The main function of stratification is “placing and motivating
individuals in the social structure.”
1. Each society must (a) place individuals in social positions
and (b) motivate them to work.
2. Some positions are more functionally important than others
and/or require more training or talent
than others.
3. Societies place appropriate (i.e., skilled and trained)
people in these positions and motivate them
to work by connecting these positions to better rewards.
4. Thus, the resulting stratification system is functional for
society.
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.
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.