Language Of Categorization Analysis

Douglas Massey uses the conceptual “language of categorization” in his discussion of inequality. When he says “language of categorization”, he talks about stratification and layers. He suggests that categorization comes in a stratigraphical form. Massey subscribes to the stereotype content model. This model states that the population can be arranged on “independent axes of warmth and competence” (Massey, 11). This separation into groups suggests that only one type of group is good: the esteemed in-group (12). He states that these emotions that people feel towards others constitute prejudice, but grouping and categorization were developed for efficiency (8-10). Massey also has a trinity of stratification that consists of race, gender, and class …show more content…
They correctly state that “no society is ‘classless’, or unstratified” (Davis and Moore, 30). They, however, seem to see a “functional necessity of stratification” (30). They do not discuss the systematic oppression of particular groups that Massey finds important in his discussion of the language of categorization and the trinity of stratification (Massey, 36-40). The Davis and Moore article does not treat groups in the same way that Massey does. It focuses more on individuals and positions. It says that societies must contain institutionalized inequality in order to differentiate people (Davis and Moore, …show more content…
A doctor may come from any background and have any type of cultural or social capital. It is a high ranking position that is not always easily filled. It comes with certain rewards, such as good pay, to ensure that it will be filled quickly. Doctors always have a lot of human capital by virtue of the many years of schooling needed to achieve the distinction. This example can be vague because of the varying backgrounds of doctors. Massey would argue with this example, saying that people from lower classes or oppressed races and genders are less likely to surmount the odds and become doctors because they may not be able to afford the numerous years of schooling.
The media perpetuates Davis and Moore’s idea that stratification is necessary for society to function. By knowing the language of stratification that Massey discusses, viewers can see media bias based on the trinity of stratification. The media portrays people of lower classes and non-white races in a much more negative light. This can be seen in the portrayal of Mike Brown as a thug and the portrayal of James Holmes as a mentally ill mass murderer. By learning the conceptual language of inequality, Massey invites the reader to challenge the narrative and to see societal bias in order to contradict