Pierre Bourdieu: Theory of Capital (Social and Cultural Capital)

Summary

This video explores the life and theories of Pierre Bourdieu, focusing on his concept of capital. Born in rural France in 1930, Bourdieu's experiences during the Algerian War deeply influenced his work in sociology and anthropology. His theory of capital includes cultural capital (embodied, objectified, and institutionalized), which relates to what individuals know, own, and their credentials, and social capital, which is about the connections one has. These forms of capital determine social standing and influence. The video also briefly touches on related concepts like habitus and fields, emphasizing Bourdieu's lasting impact on understanding social structures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pierre Bourdieu was born in 1930 in rural southern France and had a modest upbringing, later moving to Paris to attend prestigious institutions.
• 😀 Bourdieu's life was influenced by his experience of the Algerian War (1955–1958), which had a profound impact on his sociological work.
• 😀 Bourdieu's central theory is that **capital** acts as a currency that allows individuals to gain higher positions in society.
• 😀 **Cultural Capital** is a key concept in Bourdieu's theory and is divided into three subtypes: embodied, objectified, and institutionalized.
• 😀 **Embodied Cultural Capital** refers to personal qualities like skills, accent, body language, and taste in art, which influence social status.
• 😀 **Objectified Cultural Capital** is about material possessions that hold cultural significance, such as luxury items or expensive cars.
• 😀 **Institutionalized Cultural Capital** includes credentials or qualifications, such as university degrees or professional titles, that confer social authority.
• 😀 **Social Capital** is about who you know and the connections you have, and it can be built through personal relationships or inherited ties from family or education.
• 😀 Having higher **Social Capital** makes it easier to form connections and gain more capital, while having less makes it harder to build networks.
• 😀 **Symbolic Capital** and **Economic Capital** are other forms of capital that influence social mobility. Symbolic capital refers to prestige, while economic capital relates to wealth and resources.
• 😀 Bourdieu's theories explain how various forms of capital influence power dynamics in society, and how individuals use them to navigate social structures.

Q & A

Who was Pierre Bourdieu and what were some key moments in his life?

Pierre Bourdieu was born in 1930 in southern France. He came from a modest background and moved to Paris where he attended prestigious institutions like Lisi Louis Legrand and the University of the Normal Superior. His life was significantly impacted by his involvement in the Algerian War (1955-1958), where he conducted an ethnographic study of the Qabil people. This work became central to his career in sociology and anthropology.

What is Pierre Bourdieu's theory of capital?

Bourdieu's theory of capital posits that capital functions as the currency that grants individuals a higher position in society. Capital results from labor, and its accumulation over time leads to greater social power. There are different forms of capital, such as social and cultural capital, which influence an individual's role and status in society.

What are the two main types of capital according to Bourdieu?

The two main types of capital according to Bourdieu are cultural capital and social capital. Cultural capital relates to what individuals know and possess, while social capital refers to who they know and the strength of their social networks.

What are the three subtypes of cultural capital that Bourdieu identified?

Bourdieu divided cultural capital into three subtypes: embodied, objectified, and institutionalized cultural capital. Embodied cultural capital refers to the skills, tastes, and mannerisms of an individual. Objectified cultural capital includes material items of cultural value, such as luxury goods. Institutionalized cultural capital refers to credentials and qualifications that signify cultural competence and authority.

Can you give an example of embodied cultural capital?

An example of embodied cultural capital is the possession of a 'received pronunciation' accent, which is often associated with higher social prestige in the UK. This accent signifies power, wealth, and influence.

How does objectified cultural capital function in society?

Objectified cultural capital consists of material belongings that hold cultural significance, such as a luxury car like a Rolls Royce. However, the value of objectified capital can vary between societies, as seen in Tehran, where even the wealthy youth may dress modestly and drive inexpensive cars to align with revolutionary values.

What is institutionalized cultural capital?

Institutionalized cultural capital includes symbols of cultural competence and authority, such as educational qualifications or professional titles like 'doctor.' These credentials add to an individual’s social value and are often linked to prestigious institutions.

What is the difference between cultural capital and social capital?

Cultural capital is related to knowledge, skills, and possessions that contribute to an individual’s social standing, while social capital pertains to the networks and relationships an individual has. Social capital is determined by who you know and the quality of those connections.

How is social capital built?

Social capital is built in two main ways: through personal relationships, such as friendships or professional connections, and through inherited relationships, like being born into a prestigious family or graduating from a renowned university. These relationships create networks that increase an individual's social capital.

Why is social capital important in society?

Social capital is important because it grants access to collective resources and increases an individual's social influence. People with higher social capital are more desirable as connections because their inclusion in a network can enhance others’ capital. Conversely, lacking social capital can make it harder to establish valuable relationships.