Which concept describes accepting dominant explanations that conceal structural causes of social problems?

Which concept describes accepting dominant explanations that conceal structural causes of social problems?

• A. The Myth of Meritocracy
• B. Rationalization
• C. Iron Cage
• D. Habitualization

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how people embrace a dominant story that makes social problems seem fair and solvable by individual effort, effectively hiding the structural causes at play. The belief in meritocracy fits this perfectly because it asserts that outcomes are solely the result of talent and hard work. When this narrative is accepted, the broader structural factors—like unequal access to quality education, wealth inheritance, discrimination, and unequal opportunities—are obscured. That masking of structural roots helps maintain the status quo, since problems are framed as personal failings rather than systemic issues, and broad reforms to address inequalities are less likely to be pursued. Rationalization is about organizing society around efficiency and calculative logic, often leading to an “iron cage” of bureaucracy. Habitualization is the process by which routines become taken-for-granted in everyday life. Neither of these centers on adopting a dominant explanation that hides structural causes in the way the meritocracy myth does.

The main idea here is how people embrace a dominant story that makes social problems seem fair and solvable by individual effort, effectively hiding the structural causes at play. The belief in meritocracy fits this perfectly because it asserts that outcomes are solely the result of talent and hard work. When this narrative is accepted, the broader structural factors—like unequal access to quality education, wealth inheritance, discrimination, and unequal opportunities—are obscured. That masking of structural roots helps maintain the status quo, since problems are framed as personal failings rather than systemic issues, and broad reforms to address inequalities are less likely to be pursued.

Rationalization is about organizing society around efficiency and calculative logic, often leading to an “iron cage” of bureaucracy. Habitualization is the process by which routines become taken-for-granted in everyday life. Neither of these centers on adopting a dominant explanation that hides structural causes in the way the meritocracy myth does.