Social Class External - Cultural Capital

Question 1

Bourdieu: Three types of capital

Answer 1

Bourdieu:
Argues that both cultural and material factors contribute to educational achievement.
He uses the concept of ‘capital’ to explain why the middle class are more successful.

Educational capital and cultural capital - he argues that the middle class generally possess more of all three types of capital.

Question 2

Cultural capital

Answer 2

Bourdieu uses the term cultural capital to refer to the knowledge, attitudes, values, language etc of the middle class.

Sees middle class culture as a type of capital because wealth gives an advantage to those who possess it.

Gives MC students more advantage at school as they can develop their intellectual interests and understanding more.

Question 3

Cultural capital

Answer 3

Bourdieu uses the term cultural capital to refer to the knowledge, attitudes, values, language etc of the middle class.

Sees middle class culture as a type of capital because wealth gives an advantage to those who possess it.

Gives MC students more advantage at school as they can develop their intellectual interests and understanding more.

Question 4

Educational and economic capital

Answer 4

Bourdieu- middle class children with cultural capital are better equipped to meet the demands of the school curriculum.
Wealthier parents can concert their economic capital into educational by sending their children to private schools etc.