Jeff Browitt and Brian Nelson Practicing Theory: Pierre Bourdieu and the field of cultural reproduction.

Habitus is the mechanism by which cultural norms or models of behaviour and action particular to a group or class fraction are unconsciously internalised or incorporated in the formation of the self during the socialization process.” Jeff Browitt, (2004) “Pierre Bourdieu: Homo Sociologicus” in eds. The term Bourdieu coins to describe this is ‘the habitus’ (Bourdieu, Outline of a Theory 72-95): ‘an acquired system of generative schemes objectively adjusted to the particular condition in which it is constituted’ (95). In which he attempts to theorise human sociality as the outcome of the strategic action of individuals operating within a constraining, but nonetheless not absolutely determining, context of values.

“Bourdieu’s reputation as a sociological thinker is underpinned by his application of what he calls a ‘theory of practice’. Role of class in modern France and in particular education and culture Key concepts of ‘habitus’ and ‘cultural capital’. Structure and agency, how to incorporate social institutions without presenting people as cultural dupes – rule following robots. Marx, social relationship to means of production Weber, relationship to market, contrast with status This semester Hidden injuries of class, social psychology of inequality – work does things to people End of class, social construction rather than social ascription, post-modern plastic identityĥ Bourdieu Intellectual problems Bourdieu sets out to solve.

Examples of attempts to use / operationalise his ideas Alex Dumas, Suzanne Laberge, Silvia M, Straka (2005) “Older women's relations to bodily appearance: the embodiment of social and biological conditions of existence,” Ageing and Society 25(6): Laurie Taylor, Thinking Allowed, from mins interview with Prof Tony BennettĤ How does class work Classics This semester et al (2002) Contemporary Sociological Theory, Oxford: Blackwell. Chapter Bou/Jen Theory texts: Bourdieu, Pierre Distinction : a social critique of the judgment of taste London : Routledge, BOU Bourdieu, Pierre Reproduction in education, society and culture London : Sage, BOU Bourdieu, P. Lecture 10 How are social distinctions reproduced? Bourdieu on class and culture.Ģ How are social distinctions reproduced? How does class work?īourdieu on cultural capital, habitus Do middle class older women treat their bodies differently to working class ones? Are there class differences in culture in UK? My generation Substituteģ Sources Reading: Jenkins, Richard (1992) Pierre Bourdieu. 1 How are social distinctions reproduced? Bourdieu on class and culture.

Bourdieu class distinction