Overview

• What is the main focus of the first PowerPoint in the AQA A-level sociology course?


  It is a quick revision summary of the course.
• What is the functionalist perspective on education?


  It emphasizes key functions such as social solidarity and teaching necessary skills for work.
• Who argued that education creates social solidarity?

  Durkheim
• What does Durkheim believe education motivates individuals to do?


  To feel part of a community and be motivated to succeed.
• What is one of the key functions of education according to functionalists?


  Teaching skills necessary for work.
• What does Parsons emphasize in his view of education?


  He focuses on secondary socialization and teaching core societal values.
• How does Parsons differentiate between particularistic and universalistic values?


  Particularistic values are individual to the family, while universalistic values apply to all students in school.
• What concept does Davis and Moore discuss regarding education?


  Role allocation based on grades.
• What is the meritocracy concept in education?


  It ensures everyone has equal chances and opportunities for job assignments.
• What do Marxists argue about the meritocracy of education?


  They argue that true meritocracy does not exist due to private schools benefiting the wealthy.
• What is the New Right's view on how schools should operate?


  Schools should be run like businesses and compete for consumers.
• How did the New Right influence the Conservative government from 1979 to 1997?


  They introduced league tables to help parents choose schools.
• What is a criticism of league tables according to the study material?

  They benefit the middle class more than the working class.
• How do Marxists view education in relation to ruling class ideology?


  They see it as a means to pass on ruling class ideology and reproduce capitalism.
• What does Althusser argue about education?


  He argues that education is an ideological state apparatus that reproduces class inequalities.
• What is the correspondence principle according to Bowles and Gintis?


  It refers to the similarities between the workplace and school environments.
• How does the hidden curriculum relate to the correspondence principle?


  It teaches students behaviors that align with workplace expectations.
• What do Bowles and Gintis argue about the idea of meritocracy in education?


  They argue that it promotes the belief that failure is due to individual effort rather than social class.
• What language codes do working-class students typically use according to Bernstein?


  Restricted code.
• How does the restricted code affect working-class students in education?


  It makes it harder for them to grasp new concepts and keep up with the class.
• What language code do middle-class students typically use?


  Elaborated code.
• How does the elaborated code benefit middle-class students?


  It aligns with the language used by teachers and textbooks, aiding their understanding.
• What did Lacey find about subcultures in grammar schools?


  Streaming can lead to students forming anti-school subcultures if labeled as failures.
• What did Willis discover about working-class boys in school?


  They often seek respect from peers rather than focusing on academic success.
• How did Fuller’s study on black girls challenge typical assumptions about anti-school subcultures?


  Despite forming an anti-school subculture, they achieved high academic success.
• What is labeling theory in education?


  It suggests that labels assigned to students can become part of their identity and lead to self-fulfilling prophecies.
• How can labeling lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy?


  If a student is labeled as a failure, they may internalize that label and perform poorly.
• What is a criticism of labeling theory?


  It can be biased due to the methods used, such as interviews and observations.
• What did Gillborn and Youdell find regarding discipline in schools?


  Black pupils were more likely to be disciplined for the same behavior as their white counterparts.
• How does gender labeling affect boys in education?


  Boys are often labeled as disruptive and failures, leading to disengagement from education.
• How do teachers' judgments based on appearance affect students?


  Teachers may make assumptions about a student's ability based on their appearance and background.
• What is the difference between setting and streaming in education?


  Setting is grouping by ability for specific subjects, while streaming is grouping by ability for all subjects.
• How do pupil subcultures influence student behavior?


  Pupil subcultures can either support or oppose the mainstream school culture, affecting achievement.
• What is the role of cultural deprivation in educational achievement?


  Cultural deprivation affects students' preparedness and engagement in education based on their social class.
• How does parents' education influence their children's academic success?


  Working-class parents may lack confidence in engaging with teachers, affecting their children's education.
• What is the difference between middle-class and working-class subcultures regarding future orientation?


  Middle-class subcultures are future-oriented and value deferred gratification, while working-class subcultures focus on immediate gratification.
• How does material deprivation affect educational achievement?


  Material deprivation can limit access to resources and opportunities necessary for academic success.
• What is the impact of better education on job pay for the middle class?


  It leads to better pay jobs.
• How does the middle class subculture differ from the working-class subculture in terms of future orientation?


  The middle class subculture is future-oriented and values deferred gratification.
• What is the consequence of the working-class subculture's focus on immediate gratification?


  Students may not revise adequately for exams, leading to poorer long-term academic performance.