When we think about why education exists, one classic answer comes from Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore (1945). Their ideas are still taught today because they attempt to explain how education contributes to social order.

Davis and Moore are functionalists, meaning they see society as like a machine: each part has a function to keep the whole system working. For them, the main function of education is role allocation.

What Do Davis and Moore Mean by Role Allocation?

Societies need to make sure the most important jobs are done by the most capable people. To do this, education acts like a massive sorting machine:

  1. Sifting and sorting: Students are judged on ability and effort through exams, coursework, and assessments.
  2. Allocating roles: Those with the most ability are channelled into the top jobs, like medicine, law, or scientific research.
  3. Motivation through rewards: Because these jobs require long training and responsibility, they come with higher pay and prestige. These rewards motivate people to work hard and aim high.

In short: education ensures that society runs smoothly by matching people to the jobs that fit their talents.

Contemporary Examples of Role Allocation

This theory can be seen in practice across the UK education system:

  • GCSEs and A-levels – act as filters, deciding who progresses into further study or vocational routes. For example, only students with high grades in science A-levels can apply for medicine.
  • University tuition fees (£9,250 per year) – mean students must really commit to higher education, and those who do often access the most prestigious jobs. This fits with the idea of motivating effort.
  • Apprenticeships – provide an alternative pathway, channelling practical skills into roles like engineering, plumbing, or IT support.
  • League tables and Ofsted reports – help employers and universities differentiate between students, reinforcing the idea of a meritocratic competition.
  • STEM shortages – the government often highlights a lack of engineers and doctors. Education is under pressure to “allocate” more people into these critical roles, showing the continuing relevance of Davis and Moore’s theory.

Supporting Evidence

  • Parsons (1961) – supported the idea that schools are meritocratic. They provide a bridge between the family (where status is ascribed) and wider society (where status is achieved).
  • Professional entry requirements – careers like law, dentistry, and teaching require strict qualifications. This shows that education does allocate people into jobs based on performance.
  • Vocational education – ensures that people who are less academic but skilled in practical areas still find valuable roles in the economy.

Criticisms of Davis and Moore

Despite its influence, role allocation theory has been heavily criticised:

  1. Tumin (1953): circular reasoning – Davis and Moore say jobs are important because they are highly rewarded, but they are highly rewarded because they are important. This is not a convincing argument.
  2. Marxists: argue that education doesn’t allocate roles fairly. Instead, it reproduces class inequality. For example, middle-class students are more likely to go to elite universities due to cultural capital and private tuition. Education therefore benefits the ruling class, not society as a whole.
  3. Feminists: highlight that gender shapes role allocation. Even today, women are under-represented in top STEM careers and over-represented in lower-paid caring roles like childcare or nursing. This reflects patriarchal structures, not ability.
  4. Contemporary inequality: despite the idea of meritocracy, elite professions remain dominated by privately educated students. For example, over 60% of judges in England and Wales attended private schools, even though only 7% of the population does. Clearly, background matters as much as talent.
  5. Education reforms: policies like the expansion of academies and free schools create more competition, but critics argue this benefits middle-class families who know how to “work the system.”

Application to Exams

AQA Students

  • In 10-mark “analyse” questions, you might be asked: “Analyse two functions of education according to functionalists.”
    → One function is role allocation (Davis & Moore), explained with examples like exams and career progression.
  • In 30-mark essays, a common question is: “Evaluate the functionalist view of the role of education.”
    → You should outline Davis & Moore clearly, then contrast with Marxist, feminist, and postmodernist views. Remember to use contemporary examples (e.g., tuition fees, STEM shortages) to show evaluation skills.

OCR Students

  • In 10-mark “outline and explain” questions, you might see: “Outline and explain two ways education contributes to role allocation.”
    → Answer with points like “exams as filtering devices” and “vocational courses for practical skills.”
  • For 20-mark essays, examiners want evaluation. Davis and Moore should be set alongside critics like Tumin and Marxists. Use real examples (e.g., Oxbridge dominance of politics, or apprenticeship schemes) to show application.

Conclusion

Davis and Moore’s theory of role allocation provides a neat, functionalist explanation of how education prepares people for work and ensures society runs smoothly. It highlights the link between education, inequality, and motivation. However, real-world evidence suggests that background, class, and gender still strongly influence who gets the top jobs. For today’s students, this means that while the idea of meritocracy is appealing, the reality of role allocation is more complex.

References

  • Davis, K. & Moore, W.E. (1945) ‘Some Principles of Stratification’. American Sociological Review, 10(2), pp. 242–249.
  • Parsons, T. (1961) The School Class as a Social System: Some of its Functions in American Society. In: A.H. Halsey et al. (eds.) Education, Economy, and Society. New York: Free Press.
  • Tumin, M.M. (1953) ‘Some Principles of Stratification: A Critical Analysis’. American Sociological Review, 18(4), pp. 387–394.
  • Sutton Trust (2019) Elitist Britain 2019. London: Sutton Trust.

Alternatively, you can listen to me discuss role allocation and the work of Davis and Moore by watching a video I recorded a few years ago for Tutor2u on the topic: