internal factors

• labelling

  labelling impacts on differences in social class experience as often working class students are subjected to negative labelling based upon appearance, attitudes, language or location (external factors)

  this leads to them being labelled in the education system and developing self fulfilling prophecies and ultimately end up with them being cooled down to education
• the process of labelling in school

  behaviour is observed

  label is attached

  behaviour is reinforced

  label is reinforced

  student internalised label

  student accepts or rejects label
• evidence of labelling in contemporary school


  setting and streaming

  educational triage (pupils being divided into groups based on predicted performance)

  performance targets for students

  pupil premium

  gifted and talented programmes
• evaluations of labelling

  not all students of lower classes accept labels- other factors such as gender and ethnicity are important in determine reaction

  external influences in determining what label is applied- family, background, material deprivation, cultural backgrounds

  links to other concepts within education- setting and streaming, identity formation, university choice
• middle class labelling stages


  teacher observes positive behaviour

  positive label

  label is reinforced

  student internalises label

  self fulfilling prophecy forms

  overachievement