👩‍👩‍👦intro to sociology review

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore are sociologists best known for formulating the Davis-Moore thesis, which argues that social stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of a society. They suggest that the most difficult jobs in any society are the most necessary and require the highest rewards and incentives to motivate individuals to fill them.

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