Ethnicity Flashcards
(25 cards)
What does ‘ethnicity’ mean in sociology?
Ethnicity is a social group that shares a common and distinctive culture, religion, language, or the like. It differs from race, which is related to biology.
What were the key findings from DFES (2007) on ethnicity and achievement?
-Only 24% of White male pupils on free school meals gained 5 A*-C GCSEs.
-White and Asian pupils perform better than Black pupils.
-Within all groups, middle-class pupils outperform working-class pupils.
What does the cultural deprivation theory suggest?
It argues that many ethnic minority groups (especially low-income Black groups) lack language stimulation and values that promote educational success.
What did Bowker (1968) say about language and education?
He argued that a lack of Standard English is a major barrier to UK education for ethnic minority children.
What did The Swann Report (1985) say about language impact?
Language differences have little long-term impact on achievement.
How do family structures and support affect ethnic achievement?
Murray: African Caribbean lone-parenthood lacks male role models.
Scruton: Low achievement due to failure to embrace British culture.
Pryce: Black Caribbean culture is less resistant to racism than Asian culture.
What did Hall (1992) argue about culture of resistance?
The impact of Slavery means
that much of the Black culture has lost it’s language, religion, ancestry etc.
The Black culture are therefore much less likely to integrate & assimilate with White M/C UK
What did Driver & Ballard argue about Asian families?
They support pro-school values more than Black families, which helps their children’s achievement.
What is Keddie’s criticism of cultural deprivation theory?
She argues it blames the victims of educational failure.
What is material deprivation and how does it affect ethnic groups?
Material deprivation is the lack of basic resources
Ethnic minorities (especially Pakistanis and Bangladeshis) are more likely to face poverty, unemployment, and live in poor housing, which negatively impacts education.
What does Rex (1986) argue about racism and exclusion?
Racism leads to social exclusion, which causes poverty and poor housing and education for ethnic minorities.
What is the significance of Noon’s (1993) job application study?
Applications with ‘Evans’ received more helpful replies than those with ‘Patel’, showing name-based discrimination.
What does labelling theory say about ethnicity in education?
Teachers label Black and Asian pupils negatively, often based on stereotypes, which leads to underachievement.
What did Gillborn & Youdell find about discipline and Black pupils?
Teachers were more likely to discipline Black pupils for perceived threats and anti-authority behaviour, leading to exclusions.
What did Wright find about Asian pupils in primary schools?
Teachers used simplistic language, mispronounced names, and excluded Asian pupils, leading to marginalisation.
What are Archer’s three pupil identities?
Ideal: White, middle-class, natural ability.
Pathologised: Asian, hardworking, conformist.
Demonised: Black/white working-class, hyper-sexual, unintelligent.
What did Fuller find about Black girls in school?
They rejected negative labels and achieved highly without conforming to teacher expectations.
What were Mirza’s three types of teacher racism?
The Colour Blind
The Liberal Chauvinists
The Overt Racists
What are Sewell’s four responses to racism?
Rebels: Reject school values, adopt street culture.
Conformists: Accept school rules, aim to succeed.
Retreatists: Isolated, disconnected from school and peers.
Innovators: Achieve success without conforming.
What is institutional racism in education?
Systematic disadvantage of ethnic minorities through school structures like assessments, curriculum, and opportunities.
What is the ethnocentric curriculum according to Ball and Troyna?
A curriculum that favours white British culture and ignores Black and Asian history, contributing to underachievement.
How does assessment reinforce ethnic inequality (Gillborn)?
Assessments are rigged to favour white, middle-class culture and label Black students as failures.
What does the ‘New IQism’ refer to in education?
Assuming fixed ability through biased IQ tests, which reflect cultural background rather than potential.
How does marketisation lead to ethnic segregation (Gillborn)?
It allows covert selection, placing ethnic minority pupils in underperforming schools.
