Cultural Capital (External)

Question 1

Outline the concept of ‘capital’

Answer 1

• Bourdieu argues both cultural and material factors contribute to educational achievement are interrelated
• He used the concept of capital to explain why the MC are more successful, usually referring to wealth

Question 2

What are the 3 types of capital?

Answer 2

• Economic capital (resources)
• Social capital (social networks of people)
• Cultural capital (values)

Question 3

Describe cultural capital

Answer 3

• Refers to the knowledge, attitudes, values, language of the MC
• Bourdieu sees MC culture as a type of capital as it gives an advantage to those who posses it

Question 4

How do MC children acquire cultural capital?

Answer 4

• Bourdieu argues MC children acquire the ability to grasp, analyse and express abstract ideas.
• They’re more likely to develop intellectual interests and an understanding of what the education system requires for success

Question 5

How does cultural capital affect children in school?

Answer 5

• It gives middle-class children an advantage in school, where such abilities and interests are highly valued. This is because the system isn’t neutral, but favours and transmits the dominant MC habitus
• WC children find that school devalues their culture as ‘rough’ and inferior. Their lack of cultural capital leads to exam failure. Many WC pupils ‘get the message’ that education isn’t meant for them and respond by leaving early or not trying

Question 6

Give a study that supports the MC having several types of capital

Answer 6

• Leech and Campos found MC parents are more likely to be able to afford a house in the catchment area (economic capital) of a school that’s highly placed in the exam league tables (cultural capital)
• This is known as ‘selection by mortgage’ as it drives up the cost of houses near to successful schools and excludes WC families

Question 7

Describe the procedure of a study that tested the ideas of Bourdieu

Answer 7

• Sullivan used questionnaires to conduct a survey in 4 schools.
• To assess their cultural capital, she asked them about activities, like reading and TV habits, and whether they visited museums and theatres.
• She also tested their vocabulary and knowledge of cultural figures

Question 8

Describe the findings of a study that tested the ideas of Bourdieu

Answer 8

• Those who read complex fiction and watched serious TV documentaries developed a wider vocabulary and greater cultural knowledge, indicating greater cultural capital
• These were children of graduates and were more likely to be successful at GCSE

Question 9

Describe the conclusions of a study that tested the ideas of Bourdieu

Answer 9

• Although, some pupils with greater cultural capital were more likely to be MC, Sullivan found cultural capital only accounted for part of the class difference in achievement
• Where pupils of different classes had the same level of cultural capital, MC pupils still did better.
• Sullivan concludes that the greater resources and aspirations of MC families explain the remainder of the class gap in achievement