Functionalist

• Subjective vs. objective measures

• Explanation for inequality:

  • Davis Moore Thesis
  • Criticism-
    • ignores inheritance
    • assumes people only motivated by money
    • ignores structural influences on life chances

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Social class is measured in a variety of ways. It is often difficult to assign any one person or family directly into a particular social class. Nevertheless certain criteria do enable classification of the stratification system. Objective measures include: income, occupation, education level, at times place of residence, and parents’ education can be used to place a person in the stratification hierarchy. This is commonly the SES Socio Economic Status.

Subjectively, most Americans claim to be "middle class" even if they earn enough to clearly qualify as upper or upper middle class, they claim to be middle class. This has important ramifications for the manner in which people subjectively identify with particular groups and ideologies. It also prevents the development of true class consciousness.

Overall, people in the US underestimate the degree of inequality because we focus on the ideal norm of equality, celebrate individuality and achievement (as indicated by wealth), and are usually in contact with other people very much like ourselves thus not confronting poverty.