Comprehensive Sociology of Education: Perspectives, Inequality & Policy

What does Parsons argue about the role of education in society?

Parsons argues that education bridges the gap between the family and wider society, teaching children society's principles.

What are particularistic and universalistic standards in education?

Particularistic standards apply only within the family, while universalistic standards apply to everyone in school and society.

What is meritocracy according to Parsons?

Meritocracy is a system where everyone is given equal opportunities and rewarded based on their own efforts and abilities.

How does Durkheim view the role of education in society?

Durkheim believes education transmits shared beliefs and values, fostering solidarity and a sense of community.

What is the 'society in miniature' concept in education?

It suggests that school mirrors society, preparing students for later life by simulating workplace dynamics.

What is the role allocation theory by Davis & Moore?

They argue that education allocates pupils to suitable future job roles based on their abilities and qualifications.

What critique did Wolf (2011) make about education?

Wolf found that high-quality apprenticeships are rare and often do not lead to high-paid jobs, questioning the effectiveness of education in teaching specialist skills.

What is Tumin's critique of Davis & Moore's argument?

Tumin argues that their argument is circular; a job is considered important because it is highly rewarded, and it is highly rewarded because it is important.

What do Marxists believe about education in a capitalist society?

Marxists argue that education transmits the ruling class's ideas, not the shared beliefs and values of society as a whole.

What is the New Right's perspective on education?

The New Right believes the state education system fails to prepare students for work and advocates for market forces in education.

What is the 'voucher system' proposed by Chubb & Moe?

The voucher system allows parents to choose schools by giving them vouchers, which forces schools to improve to attract students.

What is the concept of 'parentocracy' in education?

Parentocracy refers to the idea that parents have significant influence over education, shaping it according to their needs and preferences.

What does Bowles & Gintis mean by the 'Correspondence Principle'?

They argue that school mirrors the workplace, with hierarchies and rewards that prepare students to be compliant workers.

What is the hidden curriculum in education?

The hidden curriculum consists of lessons learned in school that are not part of the formal curriculum, such as obedience and punctuality.

How do Bowles & Gintis view meritocracy?

They see meritocracy as a myth that justifies class privileges, arguing that rewards are not based solely on effort.

What are Althusser's views on education's role in society?

Althusser argues that education reproduces class inequality and legitimizes it by instilling values that make inequality seem inevitable.

What is the critique of the functionalist perspective by Interactionists?

Interactionists argue that the functionalist view is 'over socialized' and assumes that students passively accept teachings.

What is the main argument of postmodernists against Marxism in education?

Postmodernists argue that education produces diversity rather than uniformity, contradicting the Marxist view of a singular ruling class culture.

What does the New Right believe about the state's role in education?

They believe the state should impose a framework for competition among schools while ensuring a shared culture through a National Curriculum.

What is the critique of the New Right's approach to education by Ball (1994)?

Ball argues that competition benefits the middle class, who can access better schools, while the real issue is lack of funding.

What does the term 'functionally important roles' refer to?

Functionally important roles are positions in society that require higher qualifications and are filled by the most skilled and talented individuals.

What is the significance of the 'marketisation of education' according to the New Right?

Marketisation is believed to increase diversity, choice, and efficiency in schools, allowing them to better meet consumer needs.

What is the relationship between education and social mobility according to Parsons?

Parsons believes that education promotes social mobility by allowing individuals to achieve status based on merit rather than ascribed characteristics.

What is the critique of the New Right's contradiction regarding parental choice and the National Curriculum?

Critics argue that while the New Right supports parental choice, they also impose a compulsory National Curriculum, which limits true choice.

What do Morrow & Torres (1998) argue about Marxism?

They argue that Marxism takes a class-first approach that ignores inequalities of race, gender, and more.

What does Willis (1997) find about working-class pupils?

Willis found that working-class pupils can resist indoctrination, opposing the views of Bowles & Gintis.

What research methods did Willis (1997) use in his study?

Willis used qualitative research methods, including unstructured interviews and participant observation.

How did the lads in Willis's study view conformist boys?

They were scornful of conformist boys, whom they referred to as 'ear'oles' for listening to teachers.

What behaviors did the lads in Willis's study engage in to oppose school values?

They engaged in smoking, drinking, truanting, and disrupting class.

What do neoliberals argue about education?

Neoliberals argue that education should be run like a business, empowering parents and pupils as consumers.

What do postmodernists believe about the economy and education?

Postmodernists argue that the economy has become post-Fordist, leading to more diverse and flexible education.

How do Heaton & Lawson (1996) view the hidden curriculum?

They argue that the hidden curriculum reinforces patriarchy.

What is the liberal feminist perspective on education?

Liberal feminists acknowledge patriarchy in education but note progress towards equality, such as girls outperforming boys.

What do radical feminists argue about the education system?

Radical feminists argue that the education system oppresses women through the hidden curriculum and marginalization.

What did Becker (1971) study about teacher labeling?

Becker studied how teachers label pupils based on how closely they match the 'ideal pupil' image.

What did Hempel-Jorgensen (2009) find about the ideal pupil concept?

Hempel-Jorgensen found that the ideal pupil concept varies by the overall class of the school.

What did Dunne & Gazeley (2008) discover about teacher assumptions?

They found that teachers normalized working-class pupils' underachievement and believed they could not improve.

What did Rist (1970) find about teacher sorting in primary schools?

Rist found that teachers used home background and appearance to sort pupils into groups, favoring middle-class students.

What is the self-fulfilling prophecy in education?

It is the process where a teacher's label leads to a pupil internalizing that label, fulfilling the teacher's expectations.

What did Rosenthal & Jacobson (1968) demonstrate in their study?

They demonstrated that teacher expectations can lead to improved academic performance in labeled 'spurter' pupils.

What is streaming in education?

Streaming is the practice of sorting children into groups based on ability for separate teaching.

What is educational triage according to Gillborn & Youdell?

Educational triage is the sorting of pupils into those likely to pass, borderline pupils, and hopeless cases.

How do Gillborn & Youdell link streaming to exam league tables?

They argue that schools focus on pupils who can achieve 5 Cs to improve their league table position.

What did Lacey (1970) explain about pupil subcultures?

Lacey explained that pupil subcultures develop in response to differentiation and streaming.

What happens when streaming is abolished according to Ball (1981)?

Ball found that anti-school subcultures declined, but differentiation and teacher labeling continued.

What characterizes the anti-school subculture?

The anti-school subculture is mostly comprised of working-class pupils who reject school values due to low self-esteem.

What is the outcome of joining the anti-school subculture?

It leads to a fulfilled prophecy of failure.

What are the four pupil responses to labeling according to Woods (1979)?

Ingratiation, Ritualism, Retreatism, Rebellion.

How does Furlong (1984) describe pupil responses to labeling?

Pupils are not fixed in one response; it can change between lessons and teachers.

What does the labeling theory highlight about schools?

It shows class inequalities and challenges the idea that schools are fair institutions.

What criticism do Marxists have of the labeling theory?

It ignores the wider structure of class inequality and blames teachers for labeling.

What is 'habitus' according to Bourdieu (1984)?

The learned ways of thinking and acting in a social class, including tastes and expectations.

How does the MC habitus affect WC pupils in schools?

It devalues their habitus, seeing their tastes as inferior, leading to symbolic violence.

What is symbolic violence in educational contexts?

The devaluation of WC pupils' identities and tastes, leading to their underachievement.

What did Archer find about WC pupils and their identities in school?

They felt they had to 'lose themselves' in the MC habitus to succeed educationally.

What barriers do WC pupils face when applying to elite universities?

They worry about hidden barriers and not fitting in due to their class identity.

What is cultural deprivation?

A lack of basic cultural equipment, such as language and self-discipline, gained through primary socialization.

What does Keddie (1973) argue about cultural deprivation theory?

It is a myth that blames victims and ignores the role of MC-dominated education.

What did Hubbs-Tait et al (2002) find about parental language use?

Children's cognitive ability improves when parents use challenging language.

What is the difference between restricted and elaborated code according to Bernstein (1975)?

Restricted code has limited vocabulary and is context-bound, while elaborated code has a wider vocabulary and is context-free.

How do WC pupils' language skills affect their educational success?

They may struggle with abstract thinking and miss opportunities due to a lack of necessary language skills.

What impact does a parent's education have on a child's achievement?

Parents with better education can provide more support and encouragement, leading to higher achievement.

What did Douglas (1964) find about WC parents' attitudes towards education?

They placed less value on education, leading to lower motivation and achievement in their children.

What is the relationship between class identity and self-exclusion in education?

WC pupils may self-exclude from elite spaces due to a belief they won't fit in.

What are 'Nike identities' in the context of WC pupils?

Class identities constructed around fashion and brands to gain worth and status among peers.

What did Ingram (2009) find about WC boys' educational experiences?

Their identity is inseparable from their habitus, affecting their academic expectations and achievements.

What is the impact of poverty on WC pupils in schools?

It can lead to bullying and stigmatization, contributing to underachievement.

How do WC pupils' identities conflict with the school's MC habitus?

Their identities are often devalued, leading to feelings of alienation and underachievement.

What is the role of peer policing in WC pupils' identities?

Peer pressure enforces conformity to fashion and style, impacting their social status.

What is the significance of the term 'symbolic capital' in education?

It refers to the status and recognition that MC pupils gain from the school system.

What does the term 'self-fulfilling prophecy' refer to in education?

The phenomenon where students internalize labels and expectations, affecting their performance.

What is the impact of teacher labeling on WC pupils?

It can lead to negative expectations and reinforce underachievement.

What parenting style do educated parents typically emphasize?

Consistent discipline and high expectations of children.

How does the parenting style of less educated parents differ?

They often use harsh/inconsistent discipline and emphasize obedience.

What educational behaviors are common among educated parents?

Reading to children, teaching letters/numbers, helping with homework, and being actively involved in schooling.

What is the impact of parental education on children's achievement?

Parental education influences children's achievement regardless of class or income.

What is cultural deprivation (CD) theory?

It argues that lack of parental interest in education reflects the subcultural values of the working class.

What values do middle-class (MC) jobs promote according to Sugarman?

Ambition, long-term planning, and a willingness to make sacrifices.

What is fatalism in the context of working-class values?

A belief that fate determines outcomes, leading to a lack of effort to change one's status.

What does immediate gratification mean?

Seeking pleasure now without making sacrifices for future rewards.

What is compensatory education?

Programs aimed at providing extra resources to schools in deprived areas to minimize cultural deprivation.

How does material deprivation affect educational achievement?

Poverty and lack of resources are closely linked to pupils' underachievement.

What did the Department for Education (2012) find about pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM)?

Only about 1/3 of FSM-eligible pupils achieved 5 or more GCSEs at A*-C.

How does poor housing affect pupils' education?

It can lead to overcrowding, disrupted sleep, and frequent illness, all of which negatively impact learning.

What health issues are associated with poor diet in children from low-income families?

Lower intake of vitamins/minerals, leading to weakened immune systems and low attendance.

What is the impact of financial support on educational opportunities?

Lack of financial support means children miss out on essential educational resources and opportunities.

What is the fear of debt among working-class pupils?

They tend to avoid university due to negative perceptions of debt, unlike middle-class pupils.

What is cultural capital according to Bourdieu?

The knowledge, skills, values, and abilities that provide an advantage in educational settings.

How does cultural capital affect educational success?

MC pupils with cultural capital are better equipped to meet school demands and achieve qualifications.

What did Sullivan's (2011) study reveal about cultural capital?

Students who read complex fiction and watched serious documentaries had more cultural capital.

What family structure issues contribute to educational underachievement in ethnic minorities?

Dysfunctional family structures, such as lone parenthood, can lead to inadequate socialization and support.

What is the role of intellectual and linguistic skills in ethnic minority students' achievement?

CD theorists argue that underdeveloped skills contribute to ethnic minority pupils' underachievement.

What does the term 'working-class subculture' refer to?

A group in society whose attitudes and values differ from mainstream culture, often leading to educational underachievement.

How do MC and WC values differ in terms of education?

MC values promote individual success and meritocracy, while WC values may prioritize group loyalty and fatalism.

What is present-time orientation?

A focus on the present rather than planning for the future, which can hinder educational goals.

What are some barriers to learning faced by children from poor families?

Inability to afford educational resources, stigma from hand-me-downs, and fear of debt.

What is the significance of Bourdieu's concept of habitus?

It explains how cultural capital influences educational success and perpetuates social inequalities.

What do cultural deprivation theorists argue about ethnic minority pupils?

They argue that high rates of lone parents and lack of intellectual and linguistic skills contribute to underachievement.

According to Bereiter & Engelmann, what is inadequate for educational success in black families?

The language spoken is often ungrammatical and does not express abstract ideas.

What do Gillborn & Mirza (2000) say about Indian pupils and English as a second language?

They argue that Indian pupils excel despite English being their second language.