Pupil Subcultures

Question 1

How do pupil subcultures develop?

Answer 1

• Colin Lacey’s (1970) concepts of differentiation and polarisation explain this
• Differentiation: teachers categorise pupils on perceived ability, attitude and behaviour and separates them (streaming)
• Polarisation: Student respond to streaming by moving to either end of the oppositive ‘poles’ in terms of behaviour and attitude

Question 2

What is pro-school subculture?

Answer 2

Those in high streams (MC) remain committed to school values. They gain status through academic success

Question 3

What is anti-school subculture?

Answer 3

Those in low streams (WC) suffer a loss of self-esteem and the label of failure pushes them to gain status through peers and delinquency which results in educational failure

Question 4

How as streaming tried to be abolished?

Answer 4

• Ball (1981) found when banding was abolished, type of streaming, polarisation and influence of anti-school subculture declined but differentiation continued.
• Teachers continued to positively label middle-class pupils which was reflected in their better exam results
• Ball’s study shows how the effects of labelling can continue without the effects of subcultures or streaming

Question 5

Describe the variety of pupil responses

Answer 5

• Woods (1979) argues students responses includes: ingratiation (pro-school conformity, teachers pet), ritualism (lack of interest but staying out of trouble and appearing to conform), retreatism (daydreaming and indifferent to school) and rebellion (outright rejections of school)
• Furlong (1984) notes how pupils are committed to one response but can act differently with different teachers

Question 6

What are criticism of labelling theory?

Answer 6

• The studies are useful in showing that interactions within schools actively create social class inequalities
• This theory is accused of determinism, assuming those labelled have no choice but to fulfil the prophecy and fail.
• Marxists argue it ignores the wider structure of power within which labelling takes place in as it tends to blame the teachers. They argue it stems from teachers’ individual prejudice as they work in a system that reproduces class divisions