(T5) Interactionist Perspective of Education

Question 1

What is the interactionist perspective on education?

Answer 1

Focuses on small-scale interactions within schools.
Emphasizes labels, relationships, and how they affect student achievement and identity.

Question 2

What is the labelling theory in education?

Answer 2

Teachers label students based on stereotypes (e.g., class, ethnicity).
Labels influence teacher interactions and student outcomes.

Question 3

What did Rosenthal and Jacobson’s study demonstrate?

Answer 3

Teacher expectations can influence student performance.
Students labelled as “spurters” showed more academic progress.

Question 4

How does Becker’s research relate to labelling in education?

Answer 4

Teachers often label working-class students negatively, lowering expectations.
Positive labels tend to be given to middle-class students.

Question 5

What is the self-fulfilling prophecy in education?

Answer 5

A label or prediction causes itself to come true.
Negative labels can lead to underachievement; positive labels can boost performance.

Question 6

What are in-school subcultures?

Answer 6

Subcultures share similar norms and values, often linked to social class.
Anti-school subcultures can lead to lower achievement.

Question 7

What is symbolic violence in education?

Answer 7

Dominant class imposes its culture on subordinate groups.
Working-class students may feel their culture is devalued, leading to disengagement.

Question 8

How do interactionist ideas link to identity?

Answer 8

Students develop identities through school interactions and social groups.
Schools play a role in shaping or reinforcing these identities.

Question 9

What are criticisms of the interactionist perspective?

Answer 9

Ignores wider social structures like class inequalities.
Overemphasizes micro-level interactions, neglecting macro forces.