cultural factors (class)

Question 1

what is cultural capital?

Answer 1

Cultural capital is the skills, knowledge and values possessed by the middle class which give their children an advantage in education compared to the working classes

Question 2

what is cultural deprivation?

Question 3

who discusses cultural factors?

Answer 3

Bourdieu
Bernstein
Sullivan
Sugarman
Douglas
Lewis
Gilles

Question 4

Bourdieu

Answer 4

Put forward the suggestion that cultural capital gives an advantage to higher class children and that the culture of the school is a closer match to this culture than to working class culture.

Teachers will perceive cultural capital as intelligence, and this in turn leads to them applying a positive label to the pupils.

This makes it easier for middle class children to succeed

Support with Sullivan, Becker

Question 5

Sullivan

Answer 5

going to the theatre means you are more likely to pass your GCSEs

Question 6

Bernstein

Answer 6

Identified that the working class and the middle class have different language codes

• the working class use a restricted code which involves simple grammar, limited vocab and gestures
• the middle class use an elaborate code which involves complex grammar, fuller sentences and more abstract ideas

this puts MC students at an advantage at school as teachers, textbooks and the education system tend to use the elaborate code

Question 7

Sugarman

Answer 7

Identified two different types of gratification, instant and deferred

The working class students are likely to have instant gratification, where they would be more inclined to get a job straight from college so that they can earn money right away

The middle to upper class have deferred gratification, and choose to invest into university to get greater rewards in the end.

Question 8

Douglas

Answer 8

WC parents placed less value on education, making them less ambitious for their children, taking less interest in their education and giving them less support. They visited schools less for parents evening and didnt discuss progress

Question 9

Gilles

Answer 9

Found parents with high level qualifications use their knowledge to help their children

Question 10

Lewis

Answer 10

Looked at culture of poverty and found that a norm within poor communities is to focus on the now and not the future

Therefore, the communities fail to acknowledge the importance of the education system