Cultural Deprivation Theories Bernstein

Question 1

What does Bernstein say about language?

Answer 1

Bernstein identifies differences between working class and middle class language that influences achievement

Question 2

What is the restricted code?

Answer 2

• typically used by WC
• limited vocabulary, use of short, unfinished, grammatically simple sentences
• speech is predictable that may involve a single word or gesture
• speech is descriptive not analytic
• speech is context bound: the speaker assumes that the listener shares the same set of experiences

Question 3

What is the elaborate code?

Answer 3

• used by middle class
• use wider vocabulary and based on longer, grammatically correct and complex sentences
• speech is varied and can communicate abstract ideas
• context free: speaker does not assume that the listener shares the same experience

Question 4

How does the difference in speech code give the middle class students at an advantage?

Answer 4

the elaborate code is used by teachers, textbooks and exams and it is a more effective tool for analysing and reasoning for explaining thoughts which are essential skills in education (this puts wc at a disadvantage)

Question 5

How does early socialisation of the elaborate code affect middle class and working class students?

Answer 5

• middle class students are already fluent users of the code when they start school and thus feel at home in school which means they are more likely to be successful
• working class student lack the code, thus likely to feel excluded which means they are likely to be less successful

Question 6

What are the criticisms (positive) of Bernstein’s idea of speech codes and cultural deprivation?

Answer 6

• Bernstein recognises that the school and not just the home influences children achievement and argues that the wc pupils fail not because they are culturally deprived but because schools fail to teach them how to use the elaborate code