Pupil Subcultures (Internal) Flashcards
What is pupil subculture?
A group of pupils who share similar values and behaviour patterns
Why does pupil subculture emerge?
As a response to the way pupils have been labelled, or due to streaming
How do pupil subcultures develop?
- Lacey uses concepts of differentiation and polarisation to explain how they develop:
- Differentiation is the process of teachers categorising pupils based on perceived ability and treating them accordingly (streaming)
- Polarisation: students’ response to differentiation by moving to extremes in terms of behaviour (pro-school or anti-school subculture)
Describe pro-school subculture
- Pupils placed in high streams (mainly MC) tend to remain committed to the values of school.
- They gain status in the approved manner (academic success)
- Their values are those of the school, forming pro-school subculture
Describe anti-school subculture
- Those in low stream (mainly WC) suffer a loss of self-esteem
- The label of failure pushes them to search for other ways of gaining status. Involves inverting the school’s values of hard work and obedience
- Anti-school subculture is formed to gain status from peers
What are the effects of anti-school subculture?
Although it solves the problems of lack of status, the anti-school subculture is likely to become a SFP of educational failure (not improve)
Describe a study of supports the existence of the anti-school subculture
- Hargreaves investigated a secondary modern school.
- In the view of the education system, boys in lower streams were triple failures: they failed their 11+ exams, placed in low streams, they were labelled ‘worthless louts’
- A solution to the status problem, they seek each other out and formed a group where high status went to those against school’s rules
Describe the procedure of a study that supports Lacey’s theory
Ball studied a comprehensive school that was in the process of abolishing banding (type of streaming) and were in favour of teaching mixed-ability group
Describe the findings of a study that supports Lacey’s theory
- Ball found the basis for pupils to polarise was largely removed and the influence of anti-school culture declined
- However differentiation continued. Teachers still categorised pupils and labelled MC pupils as cooperative
- Positive labelling was reflected in their better results, showing SFP. Suggesting class inequalities continue due to labelling, even without subcultures or streaming
Describe the other responses to labelling and streaming
- Woods suggests pro- and anti-subculture aren’t the only response:
- Ingratiation: pro-school conformity, pupils is eager to please teachers (teacher’s pet)
- Ritualism: lack of interest with schooling, but appearing to conform to avoid trouble
- Retreatism: not actively opposed to school values, but indifferent to them (messing around, daydreaming, unengaged)
- Rebellion: outright rejection of schooling and its value, and involvement in anti-school activity
Give a disadvantage of Woods’ theory
Furlong observes that pupils aren’t committed to any response, but move between types of response, e.g. acting differently in lessons with different teachers or friends
Give evaluation of labelling theory (Marxists)
- Marxists argue the theory ignores wider structures where labelling occurs
- Critical theorists argue the capitalist system wants the WC to fail and fill lower paid roles within society, labelling helps this happens
- This explains why teachers label WC pupils negatively
Give evaluation of labelling theory (deterministic)
- The theory is deterministic
- It assumes a general response, if labelled negatively we respond negatively. It assumes humans can’t act another way, ignoring free will.
- e.g. Fuller’s study on labelling, black girls rejected labels, used anger of labels to pursue academic success
