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The sociology of education

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Why do some groups achieve more than others in education?

Factors affecting educational achievement, including social class, gender and ethnicity, and the role of material deprivation, cultural deprivation and cultural capital.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology education topic, covering the factors affecting achievement by class, gender and ethnicity, including material deprivation, cultural deprivation and cultural capital.
9 min answer →

What functions does education perform for society?

The functions of education, including the functionalist views of Durkheim and Parsons on social solidarity, skills and meritocracy, and the role of education in the economy.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology education topic, covering the functions of education through Durkheim's social solidarity, Parsons' meritocracy and the role of schools in preparing pupils for work.
9 min answer →

How do processes inside schools affect pupils' achievement?

Processes within schools, including labelling, the self-fulfilling prophecy, streaming and setting, and pupil subcultures, drawing on interactionist research such as Becker and Rosenthal and Jacobson.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology education topic, covering in-school processes such as labelling, the self-fulfilling prophecy, streaming and setting, and pupil subcultures, using interactionist research.
9 min answer →

What do pupils learn at school beyond the formal lessons?

The hidden curriculum and the Marxist view of education, including Bowles and Gintis's correspondence principle and the role of education in reproducing class inequality.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology education topic, covering the hidden curriculum and the Marxist view of Bowles and Gintis, including the correspondence principle and the myth of meritocracy.
9 min answer →