Class Case Studies

Question 1

Durkheim’s views on education

Answer 1

Functions: shared norms and values, social solidarity, specific skills

Society in miniature

Question 2

Merton’s views on education

Answer 2

Manifest function - knowledge

Latent function - hidden curriculum

Question 3

Parsons’ views on education

Answer 3

Bridge from particularistic to universialistic values

Meritocracy

Question 4

Davis and Moore’s views on education

Answer 4

Social stratification and role allocation

High incentives on most important roles

Question 5

Althusser’s ideas about education

Answer 5

Ideological state apparatus

School justifies capitalism

Question 6

Willis’ findings about education

Answer 6

Studied 12 lads in 1977

Anti-school subculture becomes shop floor subculture

Those who resist the state brainwash are the most exploited

Question 7

Bowles and Gintis’ findings about education

Answer 7

Correspondence theory

Myth of meritocracy

Question 8

Becker’s findings about education

Answer 8

Ideal student is middle class

Question 9

Hargreaves et al’s findings on education

Answer 9

Labelling: speculation, elaboration, stabilisation

Based on appearance, attitude, friendships

Question 10

Woods’ findings about education

Answer 10

1990 - degrees of conformity to school values

Ingratiation, ritualism, retreatism, rebellion

Question 11

Ball’s study of education

Answer 11

1981 - Beachside Comprehensive

End of banding reduces polarisation

Question 12

Lacey’s findings about education

Answer 12

1970 - two steps to pro/anti- school subcultures

Differentiation, polarisation

Question 13

Rosenthal and Jacobson’s education study

Answer 13

Pygmalion in the Classroom, 1968

Teachers favoured the random “late bloomers”

Climate factor, input factor, response-opportunity factor, feedback

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Question 14

Douglas’ findings in education

Answer 14

1964

Working class lacks the experience and resources to give their children academic success

Question 15

Bernstein’s findings in education

Answer 15

Elaborated and restricted code

Question 16

Sugarman’s findings in education

Answer 16

Working class subcultures:

Immediate gratification

Present time orientation

Fatalism

Collectivism

Question 17

What did Harker find about education?

Answer 17

Poor quality housing is detrimental to attainment

Less space to play and study, health hazards, stressed parents

Question 18

Howard’s findings in education

Answer 18

2001

Poor diet (lack of vitamins and minerals) = detrimental to attainment

Weak immune system, more time off, poorer concentration

Question 19

Ridge’s findings in education

Answer 19

Working class can’t afford “cool” things

Leads to bullying, anti-school subculture, lower attainment

Question 20

Gerwitz’s findings in education

Answer 20

1995

Privileged / semi-skilled / disconnected choosers

Interviewed 14 parents and teachers

Question 21

Sullivan’s findings in education

Answer 21

Complex fiction and serious documentaries = better GCSEs

Cultural capital = vocabulary and cultural knowledge

M.C. outperform even with similar levels of cultural capital due to greater resources and aspirations

Questionnaires - 465 pupils, 4 schools

Question 22

Bourdieu’s findings in education

Answer 22

Higher class have more dominant culture, which forms the basis of education