T1: Class differences in achievement -External factors Flashcards
How does class affect achievement?
Middle class students usually do better than working class children. M/C do better in GCSEs and go onto higher education.
What are internal factors?
Factors within schools and education system
What are external factors?
Factors outside education system, influence of home and wider society
Define what cultural deprivation is and how it may have an effect on achievement.
Cultural deprivation: Lack of skills and attitudes through socialisation.
Sociologists argue many w/c children are culturally deprived, so lack cultural equipment to do well at school, causing underachievement
What are the three main aspects of cultural deprivation?
-Language,
-Parent’s education
-Working class subculture
What theorist said that M/C parents use more intellectually challenging language?
Feinstein (2008)
Who found that intellectually challenging language helped children to evaluate their own understanding?
Hubbs et al (2002)
What did theorist Feinstein believe about language?
M/C parents use more intellectually challenging language, such as ‘What do you think’ (more questions)
- Also more likely to use praise, which encourages children to understand their own ability
What did theorist Hubbs et al find about language?
Intellectually challenging language helped children to evaluate their own understanding
What did Bernstein say about language?
Two types of speech codes, elaborate and restricted. M/C children who use elaborate code have an advantage because schools also use the elaborated code.
What is the elaborate code?
A speech code typically M/C use.
-Consists of good grammar, a high level of vocabulary and being context free.
What does context bound/ free mean?
Context bound means the speaker (child) assumes the listener has the same set of experiences as them, doesn’t describe situation accurately.
Context free means the speaker (child) knows the listener doesn’t have the same experiences, so describes the situation in more detail.
What is the restricted code?
-A speech code typically used by W/c.
-Consists of bad grammar, a low level of vocabulary and being context bound.
How does school using the elaborate code put w/c children at a disadvantage?
As W/c children are not fluent in the code compared to M/c children. This puts them behind as they have to put more effort into understanding what is being said.
-May lead to w/c children feeling excluded and not putting in effort, leading to less success.
What are some A03 points that could be used to evaluate Bernstein’s view on language?
-Bernstein is a cultural deprivation theorist but also mentions how school can effect achievement.
-Schools need to teach the elaborate code, or cater towards the restricted code more.
What does theorist Douglas say about parents education and how it effects achievement?
W/C parents have less value on education, leading them to become less ambitious for their children
-Less likely to go to school meetings and discuss child’s progress.
-leads to child being less motivated and have lower levels of achievement
What does theorist Feinstein say about parents education and how it affects achievement?
Parents education is the most important factor.
M/c parents are more educated, allowing them to put their child more at an advantage.
-Parental education has an. influence on children’s education regardless of social class.
A03 of Feinstein?
Explains how children in working classes can also succeed. Not all do equally bad/ equally worse.
How can parenting style of parents effect achievement in children?
Educated parenting style has consistent punishment, and encourages children to learn.
Less educated parents parenting style has inconsistent discipline, emphasises ‘doing as you’re told’ stops independence.
How does educated parents behaviours differ from non-educated parents?
Educated parents: More aware of what is needed to help educationally progress their child, they can get extra information on childrearing behaviours.
Take part in more educational trips such as museums and libraries.
How does use of income affect child achievement?
-Better educated parents = higher incomes
-Spend income to encourage education, educational resources etc
-Also know more about nutrition, spend money on fruits veg
-W/C homes lack these resources, children do not start with intellectual skills to progress.
What did Bernstein and Young find educated mothers spend money on?
Educational resources, books, toys and activities, encourages reading and intellectual skills.
What. is a subculture?
A group of people whose attitudes and values differ from those of mainstream culture.
What key features does Sugarman identify with the working-class subculture?
-Fatalism
-Collectivism
-Immediate gratification
-Present time orientation
What is fatalism and how does it contrast with M/C values?
A belief in fate, ‘whatever will be will be’.
Contrasts with middle class values which emphasise that you can change your position through efforts
What is collectivism and how does it contrast with M/C values?
Valuing being apart of a group more than succeeding as an individual.
This contrasts with M/C values that an individual should not be held back by group loyalties.
What is Immediate gratification and how does it contrast with M/C values?
Seeking pleasure now rather than making sacrifices in order to get rewards in the future.
M/C belief in delayed gratification, rewards later work now.
What is present time orientation and how does it contrast with M/C values?
Seeing present as more important then future, not having long term goals or plans. Middle class culture has a future time orientation.
