Teachers were shown photos of children and asked to rate their expected performance based on perceived social class, showing that lower class children were rated less favorably, highlighting unconscious bias. Another study found teachers interacted more positively with students they were told were highly motivated and intelligent. A third study showed that negative reports about students had a greater impact on teacher expectations than positive or neutral reports. However, these lab experiments on teacher expectations had ethical issues using real students and lacked consideration of other contextual factors in schools.

2. Sample – 96 teachers

3. Procedure

4. showed photos of children

5. Controlled other variables by dividing in terms of gender/ethnicity equally

7. Ratings based on comparing to students they taught

9. 1/3 told he was poorly motivated/low IQ

11. Asked to predict end/year grade

12. Found that negative reports have much greater impact than othersLab Experiments – Education Context (teacher expectations) Problems Ethical problems – where real pupils involved – young people have limited understanding of what is happening – deception – lack of informed consent and psychological damage Narrow focus – usually only focus on one area which allows detailed understanding BUT not always seen in relation to other issues, ie ) study expectations but not follow through to see effects on self concept/SFP etc Practical Problems – schools are big/complex – many things may affect teacher expectations (class size, streaming, type of school, catchment area, school policy) Artificiality – not the real world – using photographs/university students etc – not real life situations