Social Class Differences in Educational Achievement

Question 1

The inability to afford basic resources and services such as sufficient food and heating.

Answer 1

Material Deprivation

Question 2

Extra help for disadvantaged students to compensate for material deprivation.

Answer 2

Compensatory Education

Question 3

Lacking of being deficient in the attitudes, values, knowledge or lifestyles necessary to succeed in the education system

Answer 3

Cultural Deprivation

Question 4

Key Theory:
Point - Parental Expectations
Explanation - Claimed that middle class children receive more attention and encouragement from their parents during their early years, providing a foundation for high attainment in later years.

Answer 4

Douglas

Question 5

Key Theory:
Point - Class Subcultures
Explanation - The working class and middle class have different values, attitudes and beliefs. Amongst the working class, there is a particular subculture that places no value on educational ideals and, as such, end up failing in education.

Answer 5

Sugarman

Question 6

Key Theory: Arugued that the working class are socialised into the ‘restricted code’, whilst the middle class into the ‘elaborated code’.

Answer 6

Bernstein

Question 7

A type of shorthand speech where meanings are not made fully explicit - it uses short, simple and often unfinished sentences.

Answer 7

Restricted Code

Question 8

A type of speech where the meanings are filled in and made explicit. Sentences tend to be longer and more complex than in restricted code.

Answer 8

Elaborated Code

Question 9

Key Theory: Cultural Capital

Answer 9

Bourdieu

Question 10

The skills, knowledge, norms and values which can be used to get ahead in education and life more generally. For example, watching documentaries rather than soap operas, and going on educational visits to museums and art galleries.

Answer 10

Cultural Capital

Question 11

The dispositions, tastes and lifestyles associated with a particular social class.

Answer 11

Habitus

Question 12

Material assests such as housing and income that can be helpful in achieving educational success.

Answer 12

Economic Capital

Question 13

Educational goods that are converted into commodities to be bought, sold, withheld, traded, consumed, and profited from within the educational system.

Answer 13

Educational Capital

Question 14

The possession of valuable social contacts that can assist in achieving success in education.

Answer 14

Social Capital

Question 15

W/C parents are not disinterested in their children’s education. They are often unable to attend parents evenings for example because of work commitments, parenting and transport issues e.g., many poor families will have to work in ‘unsociable hours’ or will have multiple jobs to help cover the cost of living.

Answer 15

Criticism of Douglas

Question 16

Much so called ‘culturally deprived’ behaviour may be due to a lack of money, NOT a lack of ‘correct’ norms and values e.g., a decision to leave school could be related to needing a job to support themselves or their family.

Answer 16

Criticism of Sugarman

Question 17

By blaming the failings on a child’s home background, it diverts the attention away from the education system. It is not the working class’ ‘restricted language’ that is to blame for working class underachievement - it is the teacher’s reactions to different language styles that is to blame.

Answer 17

Criticism of Bernstein