Definitions Education Chapter
MERITOCRACY
A system where success is based on ability and hard work rather than social background.
ROLE ALLOCATION
The process of education selecting and placing people into jobs based on ability and qualifications.
HIDDEN CURRICULUM
The unofficial values and behaviours taught in school outside the formal curriculum.
OFFICIAL CURRICULUM
The subjects and content formally taught in schools.
CULTURAL CAPITAL
The knowledge, language and behaviour valued by schools that help educational success.
HABITUS
The attitudes, values and behaviour shaped by social background.
MATERIAL DEPRIVATION
Lack of financial resources needed for educational success.
CULTURAL DEPRIVATION
Lack of values, language skills and attitudes needed to succeed in education.
LABELLING
The process by which teachers or others attach meanings or stereotypes to students.
SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY
When a prediction becomes true because people act according to expectations.
STREAMING
Grouping students into classes based on overall perceived ability.
SETTING
Grouping students by ability in particular subjects.
PRO-SCHOOL SUBCULTURE
A group of students who accept school values and aim for academic success.
ANTI-SCHOOL SUBCULTURE
A group of students who reject school values and oppose academic achievement.
EDUCATIONAL TRIAGE
The process where teachers categorise students according to expected success.
GENDERED CURRICULUM
A curriculum that reinforces traditional gender stereotypes and roles.
ETHNOCENTRIC CURRICULUM
A curriculum focused mainly on one ethnic or cultural viewpoint.
INSTITUTIONAL RACISM
Racism embedded within the policies and practices of institutions such as schools.
DIFFERENTIAL EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Differences in educational success between social groups.
SOCIAL CLASS
A division in society based on wealth, occupation and status.
WORKING CLASS
People with lower-paid or manual occupations and fewer economic resources.
MIDDLE CLASS
People with professional or managerial occupations and greater economic resources.
SOCIAL MOBILITY
Movement of individuals between social classes.
EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
The idea that everyone has the same chances to succeed regardless of background.
COMPENSATORY EDUCATION
Policies designed to reduce educational disadvantage.
MARKETISATION
The introduction of market principles such as competition and choice into education.
PRIVATISATION
Increasing involvement of private businesses in education.
NATIONAL CURRICULUM
A standardised curriculum taught across schools.
STANDARDISED TESTING
Examinations taken under the same conditions by all students.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Education focused on practical skills and preparation for employment.
SOCIALISATION
The process of learning norms, values and behaviour.
PRIMARY SOCIALISATION
The learning of norms and values within the family during childhood.
SECONDARY SOCIALISATION
Learning norms and values through institutions such as schools and media.
SOCIAL CONTROL
Methods used by society to regulate behaviour and maintain order.
SOCIAL SOLIDARITY
A sense of unity and shared values in society.
VALUE CONSENSUS
Shared beliefs and values that hold society together.
IDEOLOGICAL STATE APPARATUS
Althusser’s idea that institutions such as education spread ruling-class ideology.
CORRESPONDENCE PRINCIPLE
The idea that school mirrors the structure and discipline of the workplace.
FALSE CONSCIOUSNESS
When people accept inequality as normal or fair.
HEGEMONY
Control achieved through ideas and consent rather than force.
PARONTOCRACY
A system where parental wealth and influence affect educational success more than ability.
ELABORATED CODE
A complex and formal style of language often linked to middle-class speech.
RESTRICTED CODE
A simple and limited style of language often linked to working-class speech.
PEER GROUP
A friendship group influencing behaviour and attitudes.
ACHIEVED STATUS
A social position earned through effort and ability.
ASCRIBED STATUS
A social position given at birth based on factors such as class, gender or ethnicity.
UNIVERSALISTIC STANDARDS
Rules and standards applied equally to everyone.
PARTICULARISTIC STANDARDS
Rules and treatment based on personal relationships or background.
FUNCTIONALISM
A theory viewing education as benefiting society through socialisation and meritocracy.
MARXISM
A theory arguing education mainly benefits capitalism and reproduces inequality.
FEMINISM
A theory focusing on gender inequality within education and society.
INTERACTIONISM
A theory focusing on everyday interactions and labelling in schools.
NEW RIGHT
A perspective supporting competition, discipline and marketisation in education.
POSTMODERNISM
A perspective arguing education is increasingly diverse and fragmented.