Cultural capital - A Level Sociology revision - Top Marx

Summary

This video explores the concept of cultural capital, distinguishing it from economic and social capital, and its impact on life chances. It explains how cultural capital, the knowledge of societal systems and behaviors, can enhance an individual's opportunities and fit within the dominant culture, often shaped by the bourgeoisie. Examples from the film 'Titanic' and Pierre Bourdieu's theories illustrate how cultural capital can influence educational attainment and workplace integration, suggesting its importance alongside economic capital in determining success.

Takeaways

• 📚 Capital in sociology is divided into three forms: economic, social, and cultural, and is often discussed in the context of social inequalities.
• 💼 Economic capital is straightforward, referring to money and the resources it can provide, which can improve life chances by affording access to opportunities.
• 🎓 Cultural capital is more complex and involves knowledge or ideas that legitimize status and power within society, often aligning with the dominant culture of the bourgeoisie.
• 🍽️ An example of cultural capital is knowing social etiquette, such as which cutlery to use at a formal dinner, as illustrated in the film 'Titanic'.
• 👨‍🏫 Pierre Bourdieu, a neo-Marxist sociologist, is closely associated with the concept of cultural capital and used it to explain educational attainment gaps between social classes.
• 👧 Middle-class children often have higher educational attainment because their parents transmit cultural capital through activities like reading and visiting cultural institutions.
• 🏢 Cultural capital extends beyond school to the workplace, affecting how individuals fit in and potentially their chances of promotion based on their familiarity with the dominant culture.
• 👔 Fitting in with workplace culture, such as knowing appropriate office attire or participating in social events, can be influenced by one's cultural capital.
• 🌐 Cultural capital can also explain inequalities related to age, ethnicity, and gender, as these groups may not align as closely with the dominant culture determined by the white, wealthy, and male majority.
• 🤔 The concept of cultural capital raises questions about what determines life chances and whether the value of different forms of cultural capital might change over time.
• 📚 Further exploration of cultural capital can be done through the works of Bourdieu, as well as studies by other sociologists like Basil Bernstein, Beverly Skeggs, Valerie Hey, and Daniel Smith.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'capital' in sociology?

In sociology, 'capital' refers to resources that a person might possess and is typically split into three forms: economic, social, and cultural. These forms of capital are often discussed in the context of social inequalities, particularly social class, but can also be applied to ethnicity, age, and gender.

How does economic capital impact a person's life chances?

Economic capital, which is essentially money, can be gained from working or owning land and property. High levels of economic capital tend to increase life chances by providing access to resources and opportunities such as private education or owning a home, which can benefit the individual in various ways.

What is cultural capital and how does it differ from economic capital?

Cultural capital is defined as wealth in the form of knowledge or ideas that legitimate the maintenance of status and power. Unlike economic capital, which is about money, cultural capital is about knowing how the systems that make up society work and how to behave in certain situations to fit in with the dominant culture.

How does the film 'Titanic' illustrate the concept of cultural capital?

In 'Titanic', the character Jack, from a working-class background, is invited to a formal dinner with upper-class characters. His perplexity over which cutlery to use illustrates the concept of cultural capital, as knowing which utensils to use in such situations is an example of cultural knowledge that can facilitate social integration.

Who is Pierre Bourdieu and what is his contribution to the understanding of cultural capital?

Pierre Bourdieu is a neo-Marxist sociologist closely associated with the concept of cultural capital. He coined the term and used it to explain differing levels of educational attainment between working-class and middle-class children, arguing that middle-class parents transmit cultural capital to their children, giving them an advantage in school.

How does cultural capital affect educational attainment?

Cultural capital can affect educational attainment by providing children with familiarity and understanding of certain topics or ways of behaving that are valued in educational settings. For example, children who have been exposed to art and culture at home may find it easier to engage with and excel in school projects related to those areas.

How can cultural capital influence life chances in the workplace?

Cultural capital can influence life chances in the workplace by affecting how well an individual fits in with the dominant culture of their work environment. Knowing the appropriate behaviors, interests, and ways of communication can lead to better social integration and potentially increase the likelihood of promotion.

What is the relationship between cultural capital and the dominant culture?

Cultural capital is largely about fitting in with the dominant culture, which neo-Marxists argue is determined by the middle and upper classes. This dominant culture sets the standards for what is considered appropriate or valuable in various social situations.

Can you provide an example of how cultural capital might be displayed in a prestigious law firm?

In a prestigious law firm, possessing cultural capital might involve knowing which clothes are most appropriate to wear in the office or understanding which cultural activities to mention when conversing with colleagues. For instance, expressing a passion for theater might be seen as more fitting than disclosing a love for reality TV shows.

What are some additional resources for further understanding of cultural capital?

For further understanding of cultural capital, one can explore studies and writings by Pierre Bourdieu, who introduced the concept, as well as the work of Basil Bernstein on elaborate and restricted codes. More recent studies by Beverly Skeggs, Valerie Hey, Val Gillies, and Anthony King and Daniel Smith also provide insights into cultural capital in various social contexts.

What are some documentary recommendations for visual examples of cultural capital?

Documentaries such as BBC's 'How to Break into the Elite' and Channel Four's 'Too Poor for Posh School' offer visual examples of cultural capital in action, providing a practical look at how it operates in different social settings.