Cultural Capital - Bourdieu (Cultural Capital)

Question 1

What does Bordieu mean by cultural capital?

Answer 1

the knowledge, attitudes, values, language, tastes & abilities of the middle class

Question 2

Why does he see middle class culture as a type of capital?

Answer 2

similar to wealth, it gives an advantage to those who possess it

Question 3

What does Bourdieu argue through socialisation of middle class?

Answer 3

• middle class children acquire the ability to grasp, analyse and express abstract ideas
• middle class children are more likely to develop intellectual interests and an understanding of what the education system requires for success

Question 4

How does middle class socialisation give them an advantage in school?

Answer 4

their abilities and interests are highly valued and rewarded with qualification

Question 5

What does Bourdieu argue the education system favours?

Answer 5

favours and transmits the dominant middle-class culture

Question 6

What does the working class find the school does?

Answer 6

• devalues their culture as ‘rough’ and inferior

Question 7

What does the lack of working class cultural capital lead to?

Answer 7

• failure in schools
• wc children ‘get the message’ that education is not meant for them
• leading to wc responding by truanting, early leaving and not trying