Education (AQA A-Level
Sociology) 2026 | Study
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Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review
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,Class differences in education
What are the External Factors affecting class differences in Cultural deprivation, material deprivation and cultural capital
achievement?
Cultural Deprivation- Social class
What is cultural deprivation? The theory that many working-class and black children are inadequately socialised
and therefore lack the 'right' culture needed for educational success: e.g. basic
values, attitudes and skills
What are the three aspects of cultural deprivation? language, parent's education and working-class subculture
Bereiter and Engelmann (1966) -Language Language used in lower class homes is deficient, they use gestures, single words,
and disjointed phrases
Troyna and Williams (1986) -criticism of Language Teachers have a 'speech hierarchy' where they see MC at the top, then WC then
explanation black and it isn't the child's language but the schools attitude
Bernstein (1975) -Speech codes Restricted code: Typically used by WC, uses limited vocabulary and is based on the
use of short, unfinished and grammatically simple sentences
Elaborated code: Typically used by MC, wider vocabulary, based on longer,
grammatically complex sentences
These differences give MC pupils an advantage in school as Elaborated code is
seen as 'correct' by the school
Douglas (1964) -Parents education WC parents placed less value in education, so were less ambitious for their
children, gave them less encouragement and took less interest in their education
Blackstone and Moritmore (1994) -criticism of Parents' WC parents attend less parents evenings, not because they're not interested, but
education explanation because they have to work more
Sugarmann (1970) -Working class subcultures They have 4 features that are barriers to education
1. Fatalism: 'whatever will be, will be'
2.Collectivism: valuing being part of a group rather than succeeding
3.Immediate gratification: seeking pleasure now rather than sacrificing for later
gratification
4.Present-time orientation: seeing the present as more important than the future
compensatory education Supplementary educational programs designed to compensate children for their
deprived home background; Operation Head Start in USA
, Keddie (1973) - Myth of Cultural Deprivation Sees cultural deprivation as 'victim blaming', she argues a child can not be deprived
of their own culture, children are simply culturally different not deprived and they fail
because they are placed in a school with MC values
Material Deprivation- Social class
What is material deprivation? Poverty and a lack of material necessities such as adequate housing and income
Evidence for poverty and underachievement being 90% of 'failing schools' are in deprived areas
related? Department for Education 2012= 1/3 of pupils on FSM achieve A*-C at GCSE
How can housing cause underachievement in WC? Cramped= hard to complete work
Lack of safe space= Hard to play and learn
Cold and damp= Health conditions
How can Diet and Health cause underachievement in WC? Howard= children in poorer homes have lower intakes of energy, vitamins and
minerals
Bull (1980) -The cost of education Cost of uniforms, books, computers, calculators and sports kit
Flaherty -stigmatisation of FSM 20% of those eligible for FSM don't take them for fear of teasing etc
Callender and Jackson-fear of debt Attitude to debt was important in deciding whether to apply to university. The most
debt adverse students were over five times more likely to apply than the most debt
tolerant students (WC VS MC)
Cultural or material factors? Feinstein shows that educated parents make a positive contribution to a child's
achievement, regardless of their income.
Cultural Capital- Social Class
What did Bourdieu say are the three types of capital? Economic capital, educational capital and cultural capital
Sociology) 2026 | Study
Guide, Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,Class differences in education
What are the External Factors affecting class differences in Cultural deprivation, material deprivation and cultural capital
achievement?
Cultural Deprivation- Social class
What is cultural deprivation? The theory that many working-class and black children are inadequately socialised
and therefore lack the 'right' culture needed for educational success: e.g. basic
values, attitudes and skills
What are the three aspects of cultural deprivation? language, parent's education and working-class subculture
Bereiter and Engelmann (1966) -Language Language used in lower class homes is deficient, they use gestures, single words,
and disjointed phrases
Troyna and Williams (1986) -criticism of Language Teachers have a 'speech hierarchy' where they see MC at the top, then WC then
explanation black and it isn't the child's language but the schools attitude
Bernstein (1975) -Speech codes Restricted code: Typically used by WC, uses limited vocabulary and is based on the
use of short, unfinished and grammatically simple sentences
Elaborated code: Typically used by MC, wider vocabulary, based on longer,
grammatically complex sentences
These differences give MC pupils an advantage in school as Elaborated code is
seen as 'correct' by the school
Douglas (1964) -Parents education WC parents placed less value in education, so were less ambitious for their
children, gave them less encouragement and took less interest in their education
Blackstone and Moritmore (1994) -criticism of Parents' WC parents attend less parents evenings, not because they're not interested, but
education explanation because they have to work more
Sugarmann (1970) -Working class subcultures They have 4 features that are barriers to education
1. Fatalism: 'whatever will be, will be'
2.Collectivism: valuing being part of a group rather than succeeding
3.Immediate gratification: seeking pleasure now rather than sacrificing for later
gratification
4.Present-time orientation: seeing the present as more important than the future
compensatory education Supplementary educational programs designed to compensate children for their
deprived home background; Operation Head Start in USA
, Keddie (1973) - Myth of Cultural Deprivation Sees cultural deprivation as 'victim blaming', she argues a child can not be deprived
of their own culture, children are simply culturally different not deprived and they fail
because they are placed in a school with MC values
Material Deprivation- Social class
What is material deprivation? Poverty and a lack of material necessities such as adequate housing and income
Evidence for poverty and underachievement being 90% of 'failing schools' are in deprived areas
related? Department for Education 2012= 1/3 of pupils on FSM achieve A*-C at GCSE
How can housing cause underachievement in WC? Cramped= hard to complete work
Lack of safe space= Hard to play and learn
Cold and damp= Health conditions
How can Diet and Health cause underachievement in WC? Howard= children in poorer homes have lower intakes of energy, vitamins and
minerals
Bull (1980) -The cost of education Cost of uniforms, books, computers, calculators and sports kit
Flaherty -stigmatisation of FSM 20% of those eligible for FSM don't take them for fear of teasing etc
Callender and Jackson-fear of debt Attitude to debt was important in deciding whether to apply to university. The most
debt adverse students were over five times more likely to apply than the most debt
tolerant students (WC VS MC)
Cultural or material factors? Feinstein shows that educated parents make a positive contribution to a child's
achievement, regardless of their income.
Cultural Capital- Social Class
What did Bourdieu say are the three types of capital? Economic capital, educational capital and cultural capital
