Identity - Ethnicity

Question 1

What did Louise Archer’s (2008) study say?

Answer 1

She says that teachers categorise students into 3 groups. She says that ethnic minority pupils are seen as not having the identity of the ideal pupil

Question 2

What are the 3 categories of identity according to Archer?

Answer 2

The ideal pupil
The pathologised pupil
The demonised pupil

Question 3

What is the ideal pupil?

Answer 3

A student seen as achieving in the ‘right’ way through natural ability and taking initiative in their own education. This is typically a white, hetereosexual student

Question 4

What is the pathologised pupil?

Answer 4

A student seen as being ‘deserving poor’, i.e. needing help but being worth helping. They may have a feminised or oppressed sexuality and be hard workers, achieving through hard work rather than natural ability. This is typically an asian student

Question 5

What is the demonised pupil?

Answer 5

A student seen as unintelligent, peer-led (heavily influenced by their friends), and culturally deprived. An underachiever who doesn’t try very hard. This is typically a black or white, working class student