External class differences Flashcards
What are the two external explanations for underachievement of working class children?
Cultural and material deprivation.
What do cultural deprivation theorists argue about the cause of cultural deprivation?
Many working class families fail to adequately socialise their children, leading to cultural deprivation.
What are the three main aspects to cultural deprivation?
Language, parents’ education, and working class subcultures.
What did Feinstein (2008) find regarding educated parents?
Educated parents are more likely to use language that challenges the child, developing their cognitive ability.
What did Bereiter and Engelmann (1966) argue about language in lower class homes?
The language used is deficient, relying on gestures, single words, or disjointed phrases, which hinders language skill development.
What is restricted code according to Bernstein?
A language used by working class individuals, characterized by limited vocabulary and grammatically simple sentences.
What is elaborated code according to Bernstein?
A language used by middle class individuals, featuring a wider vocabulary and more grammatically complex structures.
How does the elaborated code give middle class children an advantage?
It is the language used by textbooks, teachers, and exams, making middle class children feel ‘at home’ in school.
How does Bernstein differ from other cultural deprivation theorists?
He acknowledges home factors affect achievement but also argues schools fail to teach the elaborated code to working class students.
What did Douglas find about working class parents’ attitudes towards education?
They placed less value on education, leading to less ambition and encouragement for their children.
What parenting style differences did Feinstein identify?
Educated parents encourage exploration and active learning, while less educated parents emphasize harsh discipline.
What educational behaviors do higher educated parents exhibit?
They assist their children adequately, such as reading to them and teaching them letters and numbers.
How does income affect educational resources according to Bernstein and Young?
Higher educated parents are more likely to buy educational toys and books, which stimulate intellectual development.
What are the four key features of the working class subculture according to Sugarman (1970)?
Fatalism, collectivism, immediate gratification, and present time orientation.
What reason does Sugarman give for the differences in values between working class and middle class?
Middle class jobs are more secure, allowing for ambition and long-term planning, which are passed down through socialisation.
