Pupils Class Identities and the School

What is habitus?

The cultural environment or mindset of a social group (e.g. middle class or working class).

How does the school habitus match middle class students?

School values confidence, formal language, ambition and traits middles class students are already socialised into.

How does school habitus disadvantage working class students?

They may feel out of place, less confident, judged, or like education "isn't for them."

Which class have more Cultural Capital?

Middle class have more cultural capital than working class.

What is symbolic capital?

Refers to the status, recognition and sense of worth that we are able to obtain from others.

What is Symbolic Violence?

When schools treated working class culture as "wrong" or "inferior", making students feel ashamed of who they are. Which causes working class students to become less confident in education.

How does Bourdieu think Symbolic capital affects class structure?

Bourdieu argues that symbolic capital helps middle class people stay in power. Middle class culture is valued in schools, universities and jobs while working class culture is devalued and seen as less educated and leads to a lower achievement.

What did Archer's study of Nike identities and what did he find?

Archer found that working class pupils express identity and gain status through branded styles (e.g. Nike), to academic success.

Why do they gain status through branded styles?

This is because school devalues their culture and appearance (which is symbolic violence), so their personal style gives them symbolic capital.