Outside factor - Cultural

Question 1

Douglas

Answer 1

Longitudinal survey in his study “the home and school”- found a variety of factors affected such as students health, size of family, the school etc.

Most significant factor was the degree of partner’s interest in their education
Middle class parents were more likely to encourage attainment and progression.

Question 2

Feinstein

Answer 2

Parental interest was a significant factor, class differences existed in terms of support.

Parental interest by asking for the teacher’s assessment/judgement of how much interest parents’ showed in their child’s education

Question 3

Bernstein

Answer 3

‘Restricted code’ = used in relatively informal situations and lacks in-depth descriptions etc.
Generally associated with working class students

‘Elaborated code’= used in relatively formal, educated situations, allowing people to be creative expressions and descriptions - Generally associated with middle class students

Students using elaborated code within education, generally outperform the working class, they engage more with class and higher level discussions but also it can be used to enhance their answers (essays)

Question 4

Sugarcane

Answer 4

Working class formed a different subculture with characteristics:
- Fatalism
- Immediate Gratification
- Present Time of Orientation
- Collectivism

Question 5

Bourdieu

Answer 5

Education system is systematically biased in favour of the culture of the dominant social classes, devaluing the norms, values and knowledge of the working classes.

Linked to the concept of cultural deprivation.
(Marxist) takes an approach that looks at how inequalities are reproduced but also the norms and values of the individuals (cultural).

Impact of ‘economic capital’ as well as ‘cultural capital’, one’s economic capital interlinks with their middle-class children has more cultural capital.
Working class cultural attributes are rejected because the education system is defined by and for the middle classes.

Their cultural assets are seen as worthy of investment and reward and hence have a greater value as cultural capital

Question 6

Gerwitz

Answer 6

Competition between schools benefits the middle class
Differences in economic and cultural capital lead class differences in how far parents can exercise choice of secondary school.

Middle class parents tend to be privileged skilled choosers,using this knowledge to access the best schools.
Middle class parents have more economic capital meaning they can move houses into areas with better schools.