Cultural capital Flashcards
(20 cards)
Describe the three types of capital identified by Bourdieu.
Bourdieu identifies three types of capital: economic capital (wealth), educational capital (qualifications), and cultural capital (knowledge, attitudes, values, language, tastes, and abilities).
Explain how cultural capital contributes to educational achievement.
Cultural capital provides advantages to individuals, particularly from the middle class, by equipping them with the knowledge and skills valued in the education system, leading to better educational outcomes.
Define cultural capital according to Bourdieu.
Cultural capital refers to the non-financial social assets, such as knowledge, attitudes, values, and skills, that can promote social mobility and educational success.
How does Bourdieu relate cultural capital to socialization in middle-class children?
Bourdieu argues that middle-class children acquire cultural capital through socialization, which helps them develop the ability to understand and navigate the education system effectively.
Do middle-class children have advantages in the education system?
Yes, middle-class children typically possess more cultural, educational, and economic capital, which gives them advantages in understanding and succeeding in the education system.
Explain the interrelation of cultural and material factors in educational achievement according to Bourdieu.
Bourdieu posits that cultural and material factors are interrelated and both contribute to educational achievement, rather than being separate influences.
How does Bourdieu’s concept of capital challenge traditional views of wealth?
Bourdieu expands the concept of capital beyond just economic wealth to include educational and cultural dimensions, highlighting that success is influenced by various forms of capital.
Describe the impact of cultural capital on intellectual interests in children.
Cultural capital fosters the development of intellectual interests in children, particularly those from the middle class, enabling them to engage with abstract ideas and succeed academically.
Describe how the education system impacts working-class children.
The education system is not neutral; it favors the dominant middle-class culture, leading to the devaluation of working-class culture as ‘rough’ and inferior. This results in working-class children feeling that education is not meant for them, which can lead to behaviors such as truancy or disengagement.
Explain the concept of cultural capital in education.
Cultural capital refers to the non-financial social assets that promote social mobility, such as education, intellect, style of speech, and dress. Middle-class children often possess more cultural capital, making them better equipped to succeed in the school curriculum.
How does economic capital influence educational opportunities?
Economic capital allows wealthier parents to invest in their children’s education by sending them to private schools or providing extra tuition, thereby enhancing their educational capital and chances of academic success.
Do working-class pupils receive the same educational support as middle-class pupils?
No, working-class pupils often lack the same level of support and resources as middle-class pupils, which can lead to lower academic performance and a sense of alienation from the educational system.
Define ‘selection by mortgage’ in the context of education.
‘Selection by mortgage’ refers to the phenomenon where middle-class parents can afford to buy homes in desirable school catchment areas, driving up housing costs and effectively excluding working-class families from accessing high-performing schools.
Explain Bourdieu’s argument regarding the conversion of different types of capital.
Bourdieu argues that educational, economic, and cultural capital can be converted into one another, meaning that advantages in one area can lead to benefits in another, such as how economic capital can enhance educational opportunities.
Describe the impact of school culture on working-class students’ attitudes towards education.
Working-class students may internalize the message that education is not for them due to the devaluation of their culture in schools, leading to negative attitudes such as truancy or lack of effort.
How does the location of a school affect educational equity?
The location of a school can significantly affect educational equity, as schools in affluent areas often have better resources and higher performance, which can be inaccessible to working-class families due to high housing costs.
Describe the method used by Sullivan in her study of cultural capital.
Sullivan conducted a survey using questionnaires with 465 pupils from four schools, assessing their cultural capital through questions about activities like reading, TV viewing habits, and visits to cultural institutions.
Explain the relationship between cultural capital and vocabulary development as found in Sullivan’s study.
Sullivan found that pupils who engaged in reading complex fiction and watching serious TV documentaries developed a wider vocabulary and greater cultural knowledge, indicating a higher level of cultural capital.
Define cultural capital in the context of Sullivan’s research.
Cultural capital refers to the non-financial social assets that promote social mobility, including knowledge, skills, education, and any advantages a person has that can help them succeed in society.
How did Sullivan’s findings relate cultural capital to academic success at GCSE?
Sullivan found that pupils with greater cultural capital, particularly those who were children of graduates, were more likely to be successful at GCSE.
