Jati n4r00ncnzon00oclol0gy Functionalist Theory of stratification Positions in society vary in their functional importance Functionally-important positions require advanced training, skill, or special talents Society needs to motivate people toto through that training and/or to develop skill and talent The way society does this is by attaching the highest rewards to the functionally most important positions Social stratification is therefore functional for soc/e tyFunctionalist Theory of Stratification • Positions in society vary in their functional importance • Functionally-important positions require advanced training, skill, or special talents • Society needs to motivate people to to through that training and/or to develop skill and talent • The way society does this is by attaching the highest rewards to the functionally most important positions • Social stratification is therefore functional for society