Topic 1- class differences in achievement (external)

• What does Bernstein say about cultural deprivation?

  Speech codes- Differences in speech codes put working-class children at a disadvantage because the elaborated code is used by teachers, textbooks and exams. Early socialisation into the elaborated code means that middle-class pupils are already at an advantage
• What does Douglas say about cultural deprivation?

  Parents education- Working class parents place less value on education; they are less ambitious of their children and give them less encouragement to participate in educational activities, such as homework. As a result of this, many working class parents do not attend parents evening
• What does Sugarmann say about cultural deprivation?

  key factors as a barrier to educational achievement:

  • Fatalism- there's nothing you can do to change your status
  • Collectivism - valuing being part of a group more than being an individual
  • Immediate gratification- seeking pleasure now rather than making sacrifices in order to get rewards in the future
  • Present time orientation- seeing the present as more important than the future, therefore having no long-term goals
• How does material deprivation affect housing?

  Overcrowding means there is no room for educational activities, such as homework and reading. It also means disturbed sleep due to sharing rooms, families in temporary accommodation may find themselves having to move frequently, leading to disturbed education and overcrowded homes means greater risk of accidents and a higher risk of getting ill. This may lead to absence from school
• How does material deprivation affect diet and health?

  Howard said that young people from poorer homes have lower intakes of energy, vitamins and minerals. Poor nutrition affects health, for example, by weakening the child's immune system- this may result in more absences from school
• What does Bourdieu say about cultural capital?

  Middle class children with cultural capital are better equipped to meet the demands on the school curriculum. Parents can convert cultural capital into economic capital, for example, they can send their children to private schools