What is Cultural Capital?
Introduction
Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt out of place maybe at a school event, a job interview, or even a social gathering? Everyone else seemed to know what to say, how to act, and what was expected, but you felt like you were missing some invisible rulebook. That “rulebook” is what sociologists call cultural capital.
The idea comes from Pierre Bourdieu, a French sociologist who showed us that success in life isn’t only about money or hard work. It’s also about the knowledge, behaviours, and cultural skills you carry with you things that often go unnoticed but can make a big difference in how society values you.
In this article, you’ll learn what cultural capital is, how it shows up in everyday life, why it matters in places like schools and workplaces, and how it shapes inequality. Most importantly, you’ll see how cultural capital is not fixed you can build it and use it to your advantage.
What is Cultural Capital?
The term cultural capital was introduced by French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu in the 1970s. He argued that society doesn’t only run on money and economic resources. Instead, people also carry another kind of wealth knowledge, skills, tastes, and cultural habits which can help them succeed or hold them back.
Think of it this way:
- Economic capital = money, property, and wealth.
- Social capital = your network and relationships.
- Cultural capital = the knowledge, behaviours, and cultural exposure that give you social advantages.
For example, a child who grows up in a home where parents encourage reading, take them to museums, and teach them how to speak confidently in English, has more cultural capital than a child who doesn’t get those opportunities. Both children may be equally intelligent, but the first one has access to cultural skills that society tends to reward.
The Three Forms of Cultural Capital
Pierre Bourdieu explained that cultural capital isn’t just one thing it shows up in three different forms. Understanding these helps you see how cultural advantages work in everyday life.
- Embodied Cultural Capital
This is what you carry within yourself skills, manners, language, and ways of thinking.
- Example: Speaking fluent English in Sri Lanka can give you confidence in school or job interviews.
- Another example: Knowing how to behave in a formal setting, like a wedding or workplace meeting, can make others see you as “polished” or “professional.”
2.Objectified Cultural Capital
- This refers to physical objects and cultural goods that represent knowledge or status.Example: Owning a library of books, musical instruments, or even access to the internet at home.
- In Sri Lanka, a family with a piano in the living room or a collection of English literature might be signalling higher cultural capital.
3. Institutionalised Cultural Capital
This is when your cultural knowledge is officially recognised through certificates, qualifications, or degrees.
- Example: A university degree, a professional diploma, or even being fluent in multiple languages with certification.
- In society, these become “tickets” that can lead to jobs, promotions, and higher respect.
Everyday Examples of Cultural Capital
Cultural capital might sound like an abstract idea, but you can see it at work everywhere. Here are some simple, everyday examples:
In Schools
- A child who grows up reading storybooks at home usually finds it easier to understand literature in class.
- Students who can speak English confidently often impress teachers, even if their subject knowledge is the same as others.
- Knowing how to ask questions politely or how to behave in front of authority figures can earn a student more positive attention.
In Job Interviews
- Two candidates might have the same qualifications, but the one who knows how to dress formally, speak fluently, and make eye contact is often chosen.
- Employers also tend to favour people who share similar cultural interests such as sports, music, or books because it creates an instant sense of connection.
In Social Life
- At a wedding, some guests know all the cultural rituals and songs, while others feel lost.
- When friends discuss art, films, or global news, the person who can join in confidently gains respect in the group.
In Daily Family Life
- Parents who encourage children to play instruments, learn languages, or watch educational documentaries are passing down cultural capital.
- These children often carry those habits into adulthood, giving them an edge in social and professional spaces.
Why Cultural Capital Matters
Cultural capital matters because it shapes opportunity, inequality, and social mobility.
2. It affects life chances
- In schools, teachers may unknowingly favour students who display “polished” manners or use refined language.
- At universities or job interviews, confidence, fluency, and cultural knowledge often matter as much as grades.
- In social life, people with more cultural capital are seen as more “cultured” or “classy,” giving them more acceptance and respect.
3. It shapes social mobility
In short, cultural capital isn’t just a fancy sociological idea. It’s a real force that affects who gets ahead and who struggles in classrooms, workplaces, and society at large.
Conclusion
Cultural capital may be invisible, but it has a powerful impact on education, jobs, and social life. It explains why some people seem to move easily through opportunities while others struggle, even when they are equally talented.
At its heart, cultural capital is about confidence and connection. The more you expose yourself to knowledge, culture, and skills, the easier it becomes to move between different spaces in society. And that, in turn, can open new doors for your future.
Dr. Darshana Ashoka Kumara,
Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences,
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University,
Sri Lanka.