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Testing Hargreaves' and Lacey's differentiation-polarisation theory in a setted comprehensive

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 06:30 authored by John Abraham
This article explores the extent to which Hargeaves' and Lacey's differentiation-polarisation theory is applicable to setted comprehensive schools bearing in mind certain objections to the theory made by Quine. The research is based on an ethnographic study of a comprehensive school, located in the south of England, in which the pupils are streamed by sets after the first year. The sample of pupils studied are fourth years in the top, middle and bottom streams of the school. By using a variety of research methods to study the historical and current academic and behavioural values of the pupils, this paper suggests that the differentiation-polarisation theory holds fairly well, particularly in the second year. The research does not substantiate Quine's objections to the theory. The paper concludes by considering the implications of the theory for social class differentiation and other contemporary theories in the sociology of education.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

British Journal of Sociology

ISSN

0007-1315

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Issue

1

Volume

40

Page range

46-81

Pages

36.0

Department affiliated with

  • Sociology and Criminology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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