External Factors: Cultural Capital

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

Bourdieu (1984) argues that both cultural & material factors contribute to educational achievement & are not separate but interrelated. He uses the term cultural capital to refer to the knowledge, attitudes, values, language, tastes & abilities of the middle class that help them succeed in the education system. The middle class use this cultural capital, alongside their economic capital (money), social capital (social contacts) & symbolic capital (respectable status) to ‘buy’ educational capital (qualifications)

Question 2

Differences

Answer 2

Bourdieu sees middle class culture as ‘capital’ because it can be translated into wealth & power, & gives  an advantage
This is because the culture, knowledge & language of the school fit more closely to m/c culture; therefore, m/c students have an in-built advantage. 

On the other hand, the children of working-class parents experience a cultural deficit. They soon realise  that the school & teachers attach little importance to their experiences & values. As such they may lack  the cultural capital necessary for educational success. 
Similarly, Gerwitz found that differences in economic & cultural capital lead to class differences in how far  parents can exercise choice of secondary school

Question 3

Economic Capital

Answer 3

Ownership of wealth
Owning valuable houses, shares, having an income

Paying for private education or additional tuition & educational resources

Question 4

Cultural Capital

Answer 4

Having the educational
qualifications, lifestyles &
knowledge of arts & literature that are valued in society
Having a degree-level qualification or higher, enjoying educational holidays, having a
knowledge of classical art & literature

Parents have knowledge & experience to help their children in education. They can provide an educationally stimulating home environment, so children become familiar with knowledge that is valued in school

Question 5

Social Capital

Answer 5

Possession of valuable social
contacts
Knowing teachers, head teachers, professors

Parents may know how to gain admission to the best educational institutions or to find expert help

Question 6

Symbolic Capital

Answer 6

Possession of status
Being seen as
respectable by the
community

Could help with admission to private or selective schools

Question 7

A03

Answer 7

Alice Sullivan’s (2001) research supports Bourdieu’s ideas
found that pupils with the greatest cultural capital were children of graduates & that these pupils were more likely to be successful at GCSE