Davis–Moore hypothesis

The Davis–Moore hypothesis, sometimes

referred to as the Davis–Moore theory, was
advanced by Kingsley Davis and Wilbert E.
Moore in a paper published in 1945.
The hypothesis is an attempted explanation of
social stratification, based on the idea of
"functional necessity." Davis and Moore argue
that the most difficult jobs in any society are
the most necessary and require the highest
rewards and compensation to sufficiently
motivate individuals to fill them.
They argued that the most important functions
would be performed by the most talented
persons, and the greatest rewards go to those
positions which required most training and
were most important for maintenance of the
social system.
MAIN ARGUMENT: The main function of
stratification is “placing and motivating
individuals in the social structure.”
KEY POINTS
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
The theory was (and remains) highly influential
but has generated enormous controversy. Davis
and Moore's argument is based on the thought
that collective goals that are in the general
interest, In order to encourage those who are
best able to realize these goals it is necessary to
offer unequal rewards. Critics have also
suggested that the theory is simply an apologia
for inequality that put some individuals in
better positions than others to succeed