4 - Labelling Theory

• Stereotypes of ethnic groups are usually negative, Black people are seen as disruptive and Asians seen as passive.
• Gillborn found teachers were quicker to discipline black children than others and saw behaviour as 'threatening'.
• Gillborn and Youdell (2000)

  Afrocaribbean children started primary as highest achievers but by year 6, became the lowest achievers.
• Wright (1992)


  Study showed teachers assumed Asians lacked language and spoke slow and simply to them. Teachers also expressed disapproval of non-British traditions/customs/ridiculed Asian customs.
• Mizra (1992)


  Ambitious black girls who faced teacher racism idenitified 3 types of teacher discrimination. Colourblind (allows racism), the liberal chauvinists (lowers expectations of black people as seen as culturally deprived) and overt racists (believe in white superiority).