Sociology- 08/01/24

1. List the following groups in order of achievement in GCSE’s: Chinese, Indian, black

2. State one criticism of cultural deprivation theory as an explanation of ethnic differences in

achievement.
One criticism of cultural deprivation theory is that it ignores the positive effects of ethnicity
on achievement, for example Driver shows that the black Caribbean family provide girls with
positive role models, and Driver argues this is why girls tend to succeed more then black
boys.

3. How does Sewell explain the differences in achievement between black boys and Asian
pupils.

4. What is meant by the term ‘teachers’ racialised expectations

The term teachers racialised expectations mean that they have a way of seeing something
and favouring an ethnicity and building up either a favour of dislike. This leads to pupil
identities, such as the ideal pupils, the pathologized pupil identity and the demonised pupil
identity.

5. What is meant by the ethnocentric curriculum.

Describes an attitude the gives priority to the culture and viewpoint of one ethnic group
whilst disregarding others. Many sociologists view this as institutional racism because its
building a racial bias, and can also create stereotypes.

6. Name three pupil identities described by archer. Which class and ethnic group does each
identity refer to?
The ideal pupil : this is classed as a white, middle classed identity, straight in sexuality. They
are also seen as wanting to do well and to achieve success.
The pathologized pupil, is viewed as someone who is Asian, and also feminine and someone
whoa chieves through hard work and not natural ability.
The demonised pupil who is a black or white pupil and is working class with a hyper
sexualised identity. They are unintelligent and probably reject the school subculture, with
not doing the work, and is usually culturally deprived and an underachiever.

1. Define the term ‘model minorities’.

This is a term which refers to a minority group which is being stereotypically viewed as
being more successful than other groups or individuals.

2. Outline three ways in which the ethnocentric curriculum may operate in education.
One way the ethnocentric curriculum may operate in education is by producing
inequality in classes and favouring and labelling students as who has more promise,
because teachers are favouring groups due to their bias which can reinforce dominant
stereotypes of some ethnicitys.

Another way the ethnocentric system mat operate is

Sociology- 08/01/24

Topic 3: Ethnic differences in achievement: do schools disadvantage minority ethnic pupils?

1. What are the percentages of teachers from each ethnic group. What percentage of heads are
from a white British background?

White- Irish – 2%
Any other white background – 3%
Indian - 2%
Black Caribbean – 1%
Other – 4%
Head teachers: White British – 93%

2. Do heads and teaching profession reflect the ethnic diversity of the country?

I think the heads and teaching profession does reflect the ethnic diversity of the UK because
the population was 81.7% white and 6.2% Indian, these statistics are fairly similar to the
percentages of the teachers

3. In what ways might the ethnic makeup of teachers and heads affect the experience of
minority ethnic groups in school?

The ethnic makeup of teachers may effect experience because students wouldn’t be exposed
to many different cultures meaning they might not have gained universalistic socialisation to
prepare them for society.