Education Flashcards
(44 cards)
What do Marxists argue the ultimate purpose of education is?
To transmit, reproduce and then legitimize inequalities in society through convincing people that meritocracy is real.
In what way is education an “ideological state apparatus”, according to Louis Althusser (1972)?
It teaches bourgeois ideals that capitalism is good as well as moulding children into behaving in ways they seem fit for school, and then the workplace.
What is the ‘Correspondence principle’, as discussed by Bowles and Gintis?
The correspondence principle is the idea that the parallels in education and the workplace, such as a strict hierarchy, are deliberate and used to ensure a more efficient workforce.
How is the ‘Correspondence principle’ taught in school?
While the Correspondence principle is not explicitly taught in school, it does operate via the “hidden curriculum.” An example of this would be how we learn punctuality.
WEINER (1993)
Argues from a feminist perspective and describes secondary school education as a “women free-zone.”
Describe Parson’s bridge analogy.
Parsonbs believed that education acted as a “bridge” between the family and the workplace. Within the family we are given “ascribed status” while in the workplace we must earn “achieved status”. School helps us acclimatize to this.
What Did Durkheim believe the education’s function was?
Durkheim believed that education acts as a transmitter of social norms and values. Teaching us social solidarity through our shared history as well as giving us specialist skills so we can all function within society.
Davis and Moore justify social inequality using the education system. Explain how?
Educations main function is to “role allocation.” It acts as a filter, ensuring all roles in society are filled while providing incentives for the best to rise to the most important, high paying jobs.
New right sociologists Chubb and Moe suggest that low income children do 5% better in private schools. Why?
They are accountable to parents and therefore standards of education increase.
What did Jane Elliot’s “brown eyed/blue eyed” experiment demonstrate?
How labeling affects how we learn.
Describe and explain the 3 differing ways of organising teaching in school.
Streaming- Students are sorted by general ability in all subjects.
Setting- Like streaming but a subject by subject basis.
Mixed ability.
Name one benefit of streaming/ setting over mixed ability.
It allowed higher ability students to be challenged.
Name one disadvantage of streaming/ setting over mixed ability.
It reduces self esteem in lower sets, due to negative labeling.
Why might “anti-school” subcultures be formed?
1) In response to negative labeling of being in lower sets.
2) They may feel the teachers are discriminatory.
3) To gain respect among peers.
How do different classes differ in subject choice?
Middle classes students are more likely to move on to a level subjects, while working class students often stick with vocational subjects.
Both Nell Keddie (1973) and Howard Becker (1971) discuss the idea of the “ideal pupil”. What does this mean and how does it influence the academic success of differing social groups?
Teachers generate an idea of an “ideal pupil” (an exaggerated version of how they saw themselves at school.) Teachers are typically white middle females and as such those who match this description will get preferential treatment.
How do interpretivists say the self-fulfilling prophecy can influence our educationally success?
How we are labelled can influence our “idea of self” and as such we can change our behaviour, positively or negatively, in accordance to that.
What does Ball (1981) note about streaming, and how is it criticized?
While Ball (1981) notes that higher streams tended to be middle class, he failed to acknowledge external factors.
What are the 2 types of external factors that affect levels of success in within differing social classes?
1) Material deprivation.
2) Cultural deprivation.
How did Bernstein (1970) argue that language affected rate of success among differing social classes?
Bernstein argued that Working class children spoken in "restricted code", which was limited in terms of descriptive vocabulary compared to the "elaborate code" the middle classes spoken in. Furthermore, teachers books and all communicated in elaborate code.
How did Sugarman (1970) argue that difference in prioritize caused differing levels of educational success within differing social classes?
As working class families often go into manual labour and also have more limited resources, they often seek immediate gratification. The middle classes can afford to differ gratification and, through socialization, middle class children find it easier to study.
Gilborn noted institutional racism within school. How did he argue this affected black boys?
Black boys where more likely to be labeled as challenge to teach authority, leading to a self fulfilling prophecy and high rates of exclusion.
Gilborn’s stats of Black students recognised as gifted and talented.
1/2 as likely for Caribbean children & 1/5 as likely for black African, when compared white children.
How can ethnocentrism negatively affect education?
1) History is taught Eurocentrically, making giving an advantage to those ingrained int the culture.
2) Moreover, this focus away from other groups may damage their self esteem.
3) School holidays are christian based, Muslim kids may struggle at school during Ead.
