class differences in achievement - internal factors - labelling

Question 1

what is labelling?

Answer 1

the process of attaching a definition or meaning to an individual or group. these labels are based on stereotypes, which are generalised assumptions about a group’s characteristics

it is an interactionist theory, looking at how teachers and pupils interactions affect pupils’ achievement

Question 2

howard becker (1971)

Answer 2

interviewed 60 chicago high school pupils

found that teachers judged pupils on how closely they fitted the image of the ideal pupil

middle class seen as closer to this due to their conduct, work and appearance

working class seen as further away from the ideal, as they were seen as badly behaved

Question 3

hemel - jorgensen (2009)

Answer 3

teachers notions may vary according to the social class makeup of the school

working class aspen primary school

middle class rowan primary school

Question 4

dunne and gazely

Answer 4

suggested that the way teachers explained and dealt with underachievement caused class differences in attainment

teachers dealing with underachievement in working class pupils normalised it - entered them for easier exams, underestimating their abilities

blamed pupils for home backgrounds - unsupportive

middle class - believed they could overcome their underachievement and are set extension tasks

Question 5

labelling in primary school

Answer 5

rist’s study of an american kindergarten found:

the teacher used the child’s home background and appearance to separate them into groups

brightest students - ‘tigers’ and sat close to the teacher

dimmer students - ‘clowns’ and were given a lower reading level

Question 6

self fulfilling prophecy

Answer 6

teachers labels a pupil and on that basis makes predictions about them

teacher treats pupils accordingly, as if the prediction is already true

pupil internalises the teacher’s expectations which becomes part of the self concept and fulfils their prediction

Question 7

rosenthal and jacobson (1968)

Answer 7

told an american primary school that they had a test to identify ‘spurters’, just a standard iq test

tested all pupils and picked 20% at random - told the teachers they were ‘spurters’

a year later, almost half of those identified had made significant progress

greater effect on younger students