Education labelling theory

Question 1

How was it argued by Gilborn and Youdell that teachers can systematically discriminate against students?

Answer 1

• Teachers fail to recognise the intelligence of the working class because they do not exhibit in the “right” way. Blinkered judgements are more influential in decisions that are made

Question 2

How can labelling theory in fact spur on educational achievement?

Answer 2

Students can be motivated to prove the label wrong.

Question 3

How can it be argued that students are in fact “labelled” by schools?

Answer 3

• Setting and streaming
• The fact that behaviour can be worse when this is present. It could be argued that children conform to negative assumptions by exhibiting poor behaviour.
• “Talent tables” in Primary School. Research shows that these have an impact on self esteem.
• Research has shown that where setting is less present then social adjustment, social attitudes and attitudes towards peers are healthier.