Education

Question 1

Language skills

Answer 1

Elaborated and restricted code - middle/upper class people use elaborated code.
working class use restricted code.

Question 2

Values and Parental encouragement

Answer 2

If parents see education as worthwhile then this will be passed down onto children.

Question 3

What is the theory of cultural deprivation?

Answer 3

explains working class underachievement - w/c children were underachieving due to language skills and values and norms - lack of parental encouragement.

Question 4

What is cultural capital?

Answer 4

Pierre Bourdieu - cultural capital affects childrens attainment at school. (economic and cultural factors) , language skills and interests like; literature, theatre and music.
Cultural capital of upper/middle class families is regarded as superior.

Question 5

What is the middle class nature of education?

Answer 5

Most schools have a ‘middle class ethos’ that only middle class children align to. Working class pupils feel as though they are ignored and are left out due to this ethos.

Question 6

What is labelling?

Answer 6

Teachers may label students based on their characteristics and personalities - teachers make judgements on pupils and label them. (positive/negative)
-David Hargreaves conducted a case study based on this saying that this is why middle class students technically do better than working class students.

Question 7

What is a self fulfilling and self refuting prophecy?

Answer 7

Self fulfilling; child conforms to the label and the label becomes a reality.
Self-refuting ; child rejects the label

Question 8

Patterns of achievement

Answer 8

-Families of ethnic minorities are more likely to underachieve in education/work,
HOWEVER, the achievement of black Caribbean girls is higher than black Caribbean boys.
-Typically, people from a Chinese background overachieve in school.

Question 9

How do Parental Aspirations affect attainment in Ethnic Groups?

Answer 9

Parental involvement can help with attainment - this is typically why pupils from a Chinese background tend to overachieve as their parents aspirations align with their own.

Question 10

How do Male Subcultures affect attainment in Ethnic Groups?

Answer 10

African-Caribbean boys tend to underachieve - researchers suggest that this is due to the formation of male subcultures that discourage success at school.

HOWEVER, many Afro-Caribbean boys do value education as important and different boys have different attitudes.

Question 11

How does Racism affect attainment in Ethnic Groups?

Answer 11

Black children face prejudice from teachers at school - tend to be based on stereotypes; this leads to black pupils feeling resentment towards the school and the teachers as their abilities are being judged.

Question 12

How does a White-Centred Curriculum affect attainment in Ethnic Groups?

Answer 12

The national curriculum is white-centred and is around white culture, ignoring the achievements of other cultural figures.

This may promote a sense of detachment and disinterest among pupils from other cultures/backgrounds.

Question 13

WILLIS and Anti-School Subcultures

Answer 13

Willis argues that in his case study, the boys saw through the ‘lies’ of the school system - the boys realised that they were trapped in their social class and that they couldn’t get whatever they wanted despite working hard so they made the choice to reject school and further enjoy themselves instead.

WILLIS DID NOT SEE THE FORMATION OF ANTI SCHOOL SUBCULTURES AS A RESPONSE TO LABELLING.

Question 14

What is the Feminist View of the Hidden Curriculum?

Answer 14

Feminists argue that gender roles are transmitted through the hidden curriculum - girls learn that they have a different role in society and that the world is patriarchal and that men take the positions of power.

Question 15

What is the Functionalist View of the Hidden Curriculum?

Answer 15

They argue that the hidden curriculum is good as it teaches children obedience and punctuality - this is good as it prepares them for the world of work and adult life.

Question 16

What is the Marxists View of the Hidden Curriculum?

Answer 16

IN CONTRAST TO THE FUNCTIONALIST VIEW, Marxists argue that although children learn obedience and punctuality, this does not benefit society - they believe that education is ruled by the upper class; the education system is training pupils to ACCEPT AUTHORITY so they get used to doing what they are told to do.

This prohibits individualism and further prevents ‘rebelling against the system’.

This benefits the bourgeoisie only, not society.

Question 17

Patterns of Attainment between Boys and Girls

Answer 17

Girls are more likely to achieve better GCSE’s than boys + A Levels.

Question 18

Changes to Employment Prospects between Boys and Girls

Answer 18

As the number of women in the workforce increases, there are more positive female role models for young girls to copy.

Women have been given equal opportunities in jobs + equal pay.

Question 19

What is the Crisis of Masculinity?

Answer 19

Men seem to be losing their traditional roles within the family and wider society, leaving them confused and unsure of their identity.

Question 20

What is Class Reproduction?

Answer 20

Marxists would argue that the upper class use their money to make sure that their children get the top jobs and remain at the top of the class system.

Question 21

Durkheim’s Theory on Social Cohesion

Answer 21

Emile Durkheim said that education set up children to be good members of society and that it passed on appropriate norms and values.

Question 22

Parson’s Theory on Status

Answer 22

Argues that school takes the process of socialisation from the family - children learn values at school that they aren’t taught at home.

Question 23

Parson’s Theory on Meritocracy

Answer 23

Parson’s argues that schools reward the most able - meritocratic system.

This benefits both society and its members - it rewards ability and members.

Question 24

Parson’s Theory on Role Allocation

Answer 24

Schools fulfil the function of role allocation as they select individuals that suit their future jobs and roles in society.

Question 25

Bourdieu’s Theory on Schools Reproducing The School System

Answer 25

Upper and Middle class have the same cultural capital as schools - children from these classes succeed.

Question 26

Bowles and Gintis Theory on Schools Corresponding to Work

Answer 26

Marxists Theory
Their correspondence theory argues that schools are organised to achieve what the upper class wants.
In order for capitalism to work, the upper class need an obedient, passive workforce.

Question 27

Marxist Theory on School being A Giant Myth

Answer 27

Marxists do not see education as meritocratic - the education system is in favour of the ruling elite.

COMPARISON, functionalists argue school is meritocratic and everyone has an equal chance to succeed.

Question 28

Feminist View of Schools and Patriarchy

Answer 28

Feminists argue that schools were in favour of males and dominated by males - this caused lower achievement in girls.

Question 29

Becky Francis’s Theory of Boys’ Domination of Space

Answer 29

Becky Francis says that boys dominate the classroom and that they attract attention both positively and negatively.