Which theorist is associated with role allocation through education to promote efficiency?

• A. Parsons
• B. Durkheim
• C. Davis and Moore
• D. Bowles & Gintis

Answer: (C)

Role allocation through education to promote efficiency is a Davis–Moore idea. They argue that society has important positions that require special talents and training, and education functions to sort people by ability and effort so the most capable fill these key roles. The system links higher rewards and prestige to more demanding jobs to motivate individuals to pursue the necessary education and training. This merit-based sorting is believed to create an efficient distribution of talent across the economy. Other thinkers emphasize different functions of education—Parsons focuses more on socialization and integration, Durkheim on the division of labor and solidarity, and Bowles & Gintis critique education as reproducing inequality—so the Davis–Moore view is the one specifically centered on education as the mechanism that allocates roles to maximize efficiency.