internal and external class factors Flashcards
(51 cards)
When examining social differences in educational achievement, what main comparison do sociologists make?
They make comparisons between working and middle-class students.
Define working and middle class.
Middle-class: Non-manual occupations of parents or themselves. Can be professionals such as doctors or teachers.
Working-class: Manual occupations of parents or themselves. Skilled workers such as plumbers or routine workers such as cleaners.
Define what is meant by an ‘internal factor’.
Internal factors are within schools and the education system, such as the interactions between pupils and teachers, and inequalities between schools.
Define what is meant by an ‘external factor’.
External factors are outside the education system. These include the influence of home, family background and wider society.
What is cultural deprivation (external factor)?
Some sociologists argue that some pupils from more disadvantaged backgrounds are lacking in ‘basic values, attitudes and skills’ that are needed for educational success.
Basic ‘cultural equipment’ includes things such as language, self-discipline and reasoning skills.
Who carried out the study that found out by the age of three, children from disadvantaged backgrounds are up to one year behind in comparison to those from privileged backgrounds?
The Centre for Longitudinal Studies (2007)
Why do working-class children usually become ‘culturally’ deprived?
According to cultural deprivation theorists, many working-class families fail to socialise their children adequately, which means these children grow up ‘culturally deprived’ so they underachieve.
List three aspects of cultural deprivation.
- Language
- Parents’ education
- Working-class subculture
What did research carried out by Hubbs-Tait et al (2002) found out about Language and cultural deprivation?
Also, Leon _______ contributed to this research. How?
They found out that when parents use language that challenges their children to evaluate events happening around them such as ‘what do you think’ causes their cognitive performance to improve.
Leon Feinstein (2008) found out that middle-class parents are more likely to use this type of language. Feinstein also found out that middle-class parents are also likely to use praise which creates a sense of competence for the child.
What kind of language do less educated parents encourage their children to speak?
Less educated parents tend to make their children use language that only requires simple descriptive statements, so their performance drops.
Who claims that the language used in lower class homes is deficient and that they use gestures and single words to talk?
And what happens because of this?
Bereiter and Engelmann (1966)
And because of this, the children fail to develop language skills.
List the two speech codes that are identified by Bernstein (1975) and who uses them.
- The restricted code used by working class
- The elaborated code used by middle class.
Explain what is meant by ‘the restricted code’.
The restricted code is the speech code typically used by WC. Limited vocab, based on the use of short, unfinished, grammatically simple sentences. Descriptive, not analytic.
Explain what is meant by ‘the elaborated code’
The elaborated code is typically used by MC, wider vocab, based on longer and more complex sentences, varied speech.
Why do differences in speech codes put MC at an advantage and WC in a disadvantage?
Who argues that it is more of an effective tool for analysis, reasoning and expression?
(Tip, starts with B)
- Teachers, exams, textbooks use elaborated code
- Taken as the ‘correct’ way to speak and write.
- Bernstein
What did Douglas (1964) find on Parents’ education of children who are working class?
Douglas found out that working-class parents placed less value on education.
What happens as a result of WC parents placing less value on education?
- Less ambitious on children
- Less encouragement and less interest in education
- Visited schools less often.
- Less likely to discuss their children’s progress with teachers.
Who argues that parents’ education is the most important factor affecting achievement?
(LF)
Leon Feinstein (2008)
Describe the parenting style of the MC.
- Emphasises consistent discipline and high expectations of children.
- Supports achievement by encouraging active learning and exploration.
Describe the parenting style of WC
- Harsh and inconsistent discipline.
- Emphasises ‘doing as you are told’ and ‘behaving yourself’.
- Prevents the child from learning self-control, leading to poorer motivation in school.
How would an educated parent behave in a way that is educational for their children?
- They would read to their children, teach them letters, numbers, songs, poems, nursery rhymes.
- Engage in activities such as painting, drawing, helping with homework and being actively involved in their schooling.
What did Bernstein and Young (1967) found on the use of income in MC and WC families for children’s education?
- Middle-class mothers more likely to buy educational toys, books and engage in activities that stimulate intellectual development.
- Working class homes are more likely to lack these resources.
Lack of parental interest in education reflects what values of the working class?
It reflects the working class subculture.
What is a subculture?
A group who has attitudes and values that differ from the mainstream.
