Social class + Education

Question 1

internal factors - underachievement - labelling

Answer 1

labelling theory - Becker
label - positive or negative self concept - if label is successfully applied = self fulfilling prophecy

Streaming - Gilbourn and Youdell
wc students placed in lower streams due to teachers labels

Question 2

internal factors - underachievement - pupil subcultures

Answer 2

Pupil subculture - Hargreaves

boys in lower sets labelled badly = form subcultures with different values

Question 3

internal factors - underachievement - identities

Answer 3

identities - Archer et al
wc pupils ignore education - doesn’t fit with their ‘habitus’
unrealistic and undesirable

Question 4

External factors - underachievement - cultural deprivation

Answer 4

Cultural Deprivation -
Bernstein - Elaborated codes - used by teachers - mc have advantages = taught through socialisation

Douglas - wc parents place less value on education and less likely or help with homework + take part in educational activities

Lack of Cultural Capital -
Bourdieu - Mc parents take children on educational trips - boosts skills and knowledge

education is run by mc - wc students struggle to fit in

Question 5

External factors - underachievement - subcultures

Answer 5

Sugarman - 4 features of wc subcultures

• immediate gratification - pleasure for short term rewards
• fatalism - nothing can change status
• collectivism - value being part of a group and not an individual
• present time orientation - no long term goals - value present time

Question 6

External factors - underachievement - material factors

Answer 6

Material Deprivation -
- access to basic essentials
- poor housing - no space to learn
Health - poor nutrition = less concentration = bad grades (Howard)

Question 7

Webber & Butler - statistical research

Answer 7

best predictor of achievement = based on area

mc live in affluent areas - better schools

Question 8

Smith and Noble - Barriers to learning

Answer 8

• Affordability - uniforms, trips, transport, resources
  = students can feel left out + can lead to bullying
• Digital access - internet and computer
  wc students less likely to have educational books and toys
• Postcode lottery - wc students limited to worse schools
• Supporting the family - time out from school to take care of siblings
  mc parents can afford childcare

Question 9

Hirsch - Better off students

Answer 9

M students - structured activities outside of school

• sports, music lessons
• own bedrooms - personal space - less distractions

Question 10

Hirsch Research

Answer 10

Advantaged students -

• better experience of school
• positive experiences with curriculum

Disadvantaged students -

• main focus is discipline and detention
• lack of confidence
• lack of attention in class

Question 11

Kynaston - material deprivation + private schools

Answer 11

material deprivation prevents students going to private schools
over 10% receive a bursary but parents still pay over 50%

Question 12

Whitty, Power and Sims Study

Answer 12

studied students from private and state schools

- private did better in GCSE’s + A levels = better uni

Question 13

Sutton Trust - Study

Answer 13

Private school children 5x likely to get into Cambridge or Oxford

Question 14

Kynaston - private school advantages

Answer 14

State children do better at uni as private school children had £ advantages earlier on

Question 15

Middle class issues

Answer 15

Britland - mc parents cant afford private schools but pay for private tutors
+ buy houses in affluent areas = better schools

Question 16

Evaluation of material deprivation

Answer 16

evidence shows huge impact on wc students but doesn’t explain reasons for all inequalities