Final answer:
The Davis-Moore thesis supports the notion that Theresa is highly paid as her role as a heart surgeon is functionally important and such talents are scarce. It connects social reward to the essential nature of a job, suggesting that greater functional importance justifies higher compensation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that agrees with the statement that Theresa, a highly paid heart surgeon, is compensated based on the functional importance of her role and the scarcity of individuals with her talent and experience, is the Davis-Moore thesis. This thesis posits that social stratification is a social necessity, where the reward and thus the salary are correspondingly high for jobs that are crucial to the functioning of society and require extensive education and training. Moreover, it acknowledges that certain positions, such as heart surgeons, are functionally more important and therefore deserve higher compensation. However, it is important to note criticisms by scholars like Melvin Tumin, who argued that the Davis-Moore thesis does not adequately account for inequalities stemming from education, race, gender, or the value and compensation some individuals receive despite lesser contributions to society.