Methods in Context - experiments

Harvey and Slatin - lab experiments and teacher expectations

LC children were rated less favourably, especially by more experienced teachers. Teachers based ratings on similarities perceived between the children in photographs and children that they'd taught.
- shows that teachers label pupils from different social classes and use these labels to pre-judge pupils' potential.

Charkin et al

University students teaching a 10 year old boy. 1/3 were told he was dumb, 1/3 were told he was smart, 1/3 were told nothing. Those in the high expectancy group made more eye contact and gave out more encouraging body language than the low expectancy group. This suggests support for the labelling theory.

Mason

Looked at whether positive or negative expectations had the greater effect. Found that negative reports had a much greater impact than the positive ones on teachers' expectations.

Rosenthal and Jacobson

IQ tests with randomly-assigned 'spurters'.

Claiborn (CRITIC OF ROSENTHAL AND JACOBSON)

Low in validity. Didn't carry out an observation of classroom interaction so no data to support claims on teachers' expectations. Found no evidence of teacher expectations being passed on through classroom interactions.