Education Topic 2 - Social Class & Internal Factors Flashcards
What are external factors that impact social class differences in educational achievement?
Cultural deprivation, material deprivation, cultural capital
These factors can create disparities in educational outcomes among different social classes.
What are the internal factors that contribute to social class differences in education?
Labelling, Self-fulfilling prophecy, Streaming, Pupil subcultures, Pupils’ class identities and the school
These factors interact with one another and influence educational achievement.
Define labelling in the context of education.
To attach meaning or definition to an individual
Teachers may label pupils based on stereotypical assumptions about their class background.
Who conducted a study on labelling and what did it reveal?
Becker (1971)
He found that teachers judged pupils based on how far they fitted the image of the ‘ideal pupil’, often influenced by their class background.
What is the ideal pupil according to Becker’s study?
A pupil who fits the image of being quiet, obedient, and academically able
The ideal pupil’s definition varies according to the social class makeup of the school.
What was Rist’s (1970) finding on labelling in primary schools?
Teachers used home background and appearance to group pupils
Groups included ‘The Tigers’ (fast learners) and ‘The Clowns and Cardinals’ (working-class pupils).
What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?
A prediction that comes true because it has been made
Interactionists argue it affects pupil achievement through labelling.
Describe the process of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
- Teacher labels pupil
- Teacher treats pupil according to label
- Pupil internalizes expectation and conforms to it
This leads to the pupil becoming the kind of student they were expected to be.
What was the outcome of Rosenthal and Jacobsen’s (1968) study?
47% of students identified as ‘spurters’ made significant progress
The study showed that teacher beliefs influenced student achievement.
What does streaming involve?
Putting children into ability groups or classes called ‘streams’
This can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies based on teachers’ expectations.
How does streaming affect working-class pupils?
They are often placed in lower streams with low expectations
This can lead to a lack of opportunity and knowledge access.
What is the A-C economy according to Gillborn and Youdell (2001)?
A focus on students capable of achieving Cs to boost league table positions
This results in educational triage sorting students into categories.
Define pupil subculture.
A group of pupils who share similar values and behavior patterns
Subcultures often emerge as a response to labelling and streaming.
What are the two types of subcultures identified by Lacey?
Pro-school subcultures, Anti-school subcultures
Pro-school subcultures are typically associated with high streams, while anti-school subcultures are linked to lower streams.
What is differentiation in the context of education?
The process of categorizing pupils according to perceived ability
Streaming is a form of differentiation.
What is polarisation in education?
The process where pupils respond to streaming by moving towards opposite poles of pro or anti-school subcultures
This can lead to distinct group behaviors within schools.
What did Ball find regarding the abolition of streaming?
Polarisation decreased but differentiation and labelling continued
Middle-class pupils still achieved due to internalized positive beliefs from teachers.
What is habitus according to Bourdieu?
Taken-for-granted ways of thinking, being, and acting shared by a social class
It influences educational success and perceptions of culture.
What is symbolic capital?
Status received from teachers due to shared values with the school
Middle-class students often receive symbolic capital, while working-class students experience symbolic violence.
What are Nike identities according to Archer?
Working-class pupils invest in styles that reflect their identity, such as branded clothing
These identities can lead to conflict with school values and negative labelling.
What did Ingram study regarding working-class boys?
He found tension between their working-class neighborhood habitus and middle-class school culture
This tension can lead to symbolic violence and pressure to abandon their identities.
What barriers do working-class girls face in higher education according to Evans?
Reluctance to apply to elite universities and fear of not fitting in
This self-exclusion limits their educational opportunities.
