Cultural factors

• Language 


  Hubbs-Tait et Al. (2002) found that where parents used language that challenges their children to evalutate their own understanding and abilities, cognitive performance improves. Leon Feinstein (2008) found that educated parents are more likely to use language this way. By contrast, less educated parents tend to use more simple language towards their children
• Speech Codes


  Bernstein (1975) identifies two types of speech codes:

  The restricted speech code- typically used by the working class, consists of limited vocabulary and gramatically simple sentences.

  The elaborated speech codes- typically used by the middle class, contains a wider vocabluary than restricted, and is based on longer, gramatically more complex sentences.
• Parents education


  Educated parenting style emphaises consistent discipline and high exxpectations of their children, and supports achievement by encouraging active learning exploration.

  Less educated parents style is marked by harsh or inconsistent discipline that emphaises 'doing as your're told' or 'behaving yourself'. This prevents the child from learning independence and self-control, leading to poorer motivation at school and problems interacting with teachers.
• Use of income


  Middle class parents who have a higher income are able to spend more on their childrens education. In return, the children are able to get all the necessaru equipment needed for schooland are also able to go on school trips to further excel their learning. However, working class parents witha lower income struggle to do this, therefore the children have less opportunity.