Class differences in achievement EXTERNAL factors sociologists

Question 1

Bernstein (1975)

Answer 1

Cultural deprivation
- 2 types of speech codes :
•Restricted code = used by the working class. Limited vocabulary and is based on the use of short , grammatically simple sentences.
•Elaborated code = used by middle class. Based on larger , more complex sentences

Question 2

Douglas

Answer 2

Cultural deprivation
Working class parents placed less value on education . They were less ambitious for their children and gave them less encouragement.

Question 3

Sugarman (1970)

Answer 3

Cultural deprivation
- Argues that working class subcultures have 4 key features that act as a barrier to educational achievement.
• fatalism = “whatever will be will be” nothing you can do to change your status
• collectivism = valuing being a part of a group more than succeeding as an individual
• immediate gratification = seeking pleasure now rather than making sacrifices for the future.
• present - time orientation = seeing the present as more important so no life long goals

Question 4

Feinstein (2008)

Answer 4

Cultural deprivation
- Parents’ own education is the most important factor affecting their child’s achievement .

Question 5

Howard (2001)

Answer 5

Material deprivation
- Young people from poorer homes have lower intakes of energy , vitamins and minerals.
- poor nutrition results in poor health , affecting the child’s education

Question 6

Tanner et al. (2003)

Answer 6

Material Deprivation
- The cost of items such as transport , uniform, books , computers etc places a heavy burden on poor families.

Question 7

Wilkinson (1996)

Answer 7

Material Deprivation
- The lower the social class , the higher the rate of conduct disorders , hyperactivity and anxiety amongst young people.
- More likely to have emotional or behavioural problems

Question 8

Bourdieu (1984)

Answer 8

Cultural capital
- Both cultural and material factors contribute to educational achievement and are not separate but interrelated .
“capital” explains why the middle class are more successful

Question 9

Tait - et al

Answer 9

Where parents use language that challenges their children to evaluate their own understanding and abilities it improves their cognitive performance

Question 10

Douglas

Answer 10

Cultural deprivation
W/C parents placed less value on education so we’re less ambitious for the children , gave less interest in their education

Question 11

Keddie (evaluation)

Answer 11

Cultural deprivation is a myth and sees it as a victim blaming explanation
- working class are culturally different not culturally deprived

Question 12

Troyna and Williams (evaluation)

Answer 12

Problem is not the child’s language but the schools attitude towards it

Question 13

Black stone and Moritmore ( evaluation )

Answer 13

Working class parents attend fewer parents evenings not because of lack of interest but because they work longer or are put off by the schools middle class atmosphere

Question 14

Leech and campos

Answer 14

Culture capital
Select by mortgage
- middle class are able to afford houses in a catchment area near the school

Question 15

Sullivan

Answer 15

culture capital
questionnaires => confuect a survey of 465 pupils in 4 schools
- assessed their culture capital by asking about a range of activities
- those who read complex fiction and watch serious TV documentaries had a larger culture capital