Labelling Theory

Question 1

What did Becker find in his study on labelling

Answer 1

• interviewed 60 teachers
• found they label pupils on how closely they match ‘ideal pupil’
• Middle class pupils closest to this label

Question 2

How do teachers judge students according to Becker

Answer 2

Teachers judge based on
- appearance and conduct
- middle class pupils seen as ideal , working class seen as badly behaved

Question 3

What did Hemel Jorgensen argue about the ‘ideal pupil ‘

Answer 3

Definition of ideal pupil depends on school type
- Working class primary school - quiet and obedient (defined on behaviour)
- middle class primary school - ideal pupil is defined by personality and ability

Question 4

What is the self fulfilling prophecy in education

Answer 4

When teacher labels a pupil , they then treat the according to the label
- leading to pupil accepting label and behaving as expected, reinforcing the label

Question 5

What is streaming in education

Answer 5

Process of sorting children into groups based on ability - usually reinforcing self fulfilling prophecy

Question 6

What did gillbourns study on streaming find

Answer 6

Teachers stereotype working class and black pupils as low ability
- placing them in lower streams and classes , making it harder to move up streams - lead to self fulfilling prophecy

Question 7

What is the key criticism of self fulfilling prophecy

Answer 7

• assumes pupil are passive and accept the labe;s
• fuller study of black girls showed they rejected negative labels and worked to achieve grades

Question 8

How do Marxists critique labelling theory

Answer 8

They argue it ignores wider society’s structure
- Teachers prejudice stems from inequality in capitalism