culture capital

what does Bourdieu argue

that both cultural and material factors contribute to educational achievements and are not separate but interrelated . he uses the concept of ‘capital’ to explain why the m/c are more successful

what does the term capital refer to

usually refers to wealth but Bordieu identifies two further types: educational capital or qualifications and cultural capital. he argues the m/c generally possesses more of all 3 types of capital.

what does Bordieu refer to the term cultural capital as

cultural capital refers to the knowledge, attitudes, values, language, tastes and abilities of the middle class

why does Bordieu sees m/c culture as a type of capital

because, like wealth, it gives an advantage to those who possess it.

what does Bordieu argue about the socialisation of m/c children

he argues that through their socialisation m/c children acquire the ability to grasp, analyse and express abstract ideas. they are more likely to develop intellectual interests and an understanding of what the education system requires for success

how does m/c children’s cultural capital give them an advantage at school

because such abilities and interests are valued and rewarded with qualifications. this is because the education system is not neutral, but favours and transmits the dominate m/c culture

how are w/c cultures effected

w/c students find that school devalues their culture as ‘rough’ and inferior. their lack of cultural capital leads to exam failure.

many w/c pupils also get the message that education is just not meant for them and respond by truanting, early leaving or just not trying

what does Bourdieu argue about educational and economic capital

that educational and economic and cultural capital can be converted into one another.

whats an example of educational, economic and cultural capital being converted into on another

m/c children with cultural capital are better equipped to meet the demands of the school curriculum and gain qualifications

similarly, wealthier parent can convert their economic capital into educational capital by sending their children to private schools and paying for extra tuition.

what did Leech and Campos find in their study

in their study of Coventry they found m/c parents are also more likely to be able to afford a houses in the catchment area of a school that is highly placed in the exam league tables. this have become known as ‘ selection by mortgage’ because it drives up the cost of houses near to successful schools and excludes w/c families.

how did Sullivan test Bourdieu’s ideas

by using questionnaires to conduct a survey of pupils in 4 schools. To assess their cultural capital, she asked them about a range of activities, such as reading and TV viewing habits and whether they visited art galleries, museums and theatres. She also tested their vocabulary and knowledge of cultural figures

what did Sullivan find in her tests/ questionnaires

those who read complex fiction and watched serious TV documentaries developed a wider vocabulary and greater cultural knowledge, indicating greater cultural capital. the puipls with the greatest cultural capital were children of graduates. these children were more likely to be successful at GCSEs

what did Sullivan find that counteracted Bourdieus ideas

although successful students with greater cultural capital were more likely to be middle class, Sullivan found that cultural capital only accounted for a part of the class difference in achievement . where pupils had the same cultural capital but of different class, m/c pupils still did better .