The study found that the counsellor judged pupils largely on their social class; this therefore put them at a disadvantage as middle-class students were placed on higher level courses. The self-fulfilling prophecy is another internal factor that can be linked to social class differences in achievement. A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that comes true simply by virtue of it being made. Some sociologists argue that labelling can effect pupil’s achievement by creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. This can be seen in a study of a primary school by Rosenthal and Jacobson.
In Ruby Paynes opinion, teachers can change a low income students life just by establishing mutual respect. The teacher needs to care about the student and be sure to give the student the necessary skills to advance throughout life. This is somewhat like one of the education theories, symbolic interactionist theory. Symbolic interactionists limit their analysis of education to what they directly observe happening in the classroom. They focus on how teacher expectations influence student performance, perceptions, and attitudes.
Many sociologists have given alternate views about the main function of education. Functionalists argue that the main function of education is to maintain a value consensus – agreed social values – whereas Marxists argue that education transmits values that benefit the ruling class. Durkheim (1903), a functionalist, argues that society needs a sense of social solidarity because without it, social life and cooperation would be impossible as individuals would pursue their own selfish desires. The education system helps create social solidarity by transmitting society’s culture from one generation to the next so the main function of education is to maintain a value consensus in society. However, Marxists criticise this and argue that education in capitalist society only transmits the ideology of the ruling class and not the shared values of society.
Assess the claim that ‘the main function of education is to maintain a value consensus in society’. The claim that the main function of education is to maintain a value consensus in society is portrayed by different sociologists in different ways e.g. feminists believe that to maintain a value consensus in society, patriarchy needs to be abolished. Different theorists believe in different functions of the education system. Some think it as promoting value consensus and some see otherwise.
In class we have discussed many theories that relate to the Craig Price (aka Warwick Slasher) story. Social Disorganization Theory can relate because his delinquency tied to socioeconomic conditions. Cultural Deviance Theory could also be related to his story because he came from a lower class. Socialization can have an effect on delinquency as well. I believe the theory that would be the most applicable to the case is the developmental theory.
Outline some of the ways in which the labelling process may lead to educational under-achievement for some pupils. Labelling is a body of sociological theory which examines how the identity and behaviour of individuals is shaped by their categories by significant social others. Self-fulfilling prophecy. Self-fulfilling prophecy is when a teacher labels pupil on the basis of this label means they make predictions about them. Then, it means the teacher treats the pupil accordingly acting as if the predications are already true.
I find it rather scary, something that makes you truly think on it, as well as a little sad at the same time. The basic functions were written to involve everything from giving the children boring material, make the children all be alike one another as opposed to being individuals, determine what a students' role in society is, keeping them level grounded as opposed to going higher in life to be their best, selection of the better ones and humiliate the weaker with bad grades and the like, and even so much as having "chosen ones" that will excel to learn management and leadership skills, unlike the others, and rein over the oppressed
Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917) was a French sociologist and is known as one of the Founding Fathers of the discipline. He believed that education had a number of functions for society. the first being that society needs a sense of solidarity; that is, its individual members must feel to be part of a single 'body' or community. He argued that without this, life and cooperation would be impossible because everyone would pursue their own selfish desires. He believed that schools acted as a mini-society, people need to cooperate with other people who are neither family nor friends - teachers and pupils at school, colleagues and customers at work.
Now, when we know the definitions, we can look at the Marxism view of education. Marxists looks at the society from a conflict perspective. They argue this with saying that education operates as an ideological tool where they manipulating people to think in certain ways to legitimise exploitation by the ruling class and inequality. Louis Althusser (1945) said that education operates as an "ideological apparatus"; in other words this means brainwashing. This idea to schools, could be argued with that the hidden curriculum transmit norms and values, such as punctuality and respect which include authority and other cultural values, whilst free thoughts gives you punishment.
In addition to academic requirements, relations with faculty members and time pressures may also be sources of stress (Sgan-Cohen & Lowental, 1988). It is important to the society that students should learn and