Sociology 101: Taste & Cultural Capital

Why are some kinds of culture—like classical music or fine art—valued more than others, like pop music or graffiti? In this short video on Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital, you’ll explore how taste is shaped by social class, education, and access—not just personal preference. The video challenges the idea that “high culture” is naturally superior and explains how our ability to appreciate or “decode” culture often depends on the resources we’ve been given. You’ll think about how this invisible form of capital works in schools, jobs, and everyday social life.

Watch: Cultural Capital — Sociology Video on Pierre Bourdieu (15 minutes) and then answer the interactive questions that follow:

Sample answers:

Question 1:

Strong answer:

Certain forms of culture are valued more highly because they are associated with elite groups who have the education and background to understand and talk about them. For example, if you grow up reading Homer or listening to classical music, you’re more likely to be praised in school or fit in with academic or professional circles. Bourdieu argues this is a way for society to reward people who already have access to these cultural resources, while making others feel excluded. This keeps class differences in place by making it harder for people without cultural capital to succeed in certain spaces.

Weak answer:

Homer and classical music are seen as better because they’re very old and important. People like them because they’re more educated. That makes them smarter, and it helps with jobs and stuff.

Question 2:

Strong answer:

I really enjoy watching anime, but I’ve noticed that some people treat it like it’s childish or not “serious” compared to things like classic literature or foreign films. According to Bourdieu, this is because anime isn’t considered high cultural capital—it’s not part of what elite groups tend to value or promote. People who grew up watching anime or who understand its themes and styles have a kind of cultural knowledge, but it doesn’t usually get rewarded in schools or jobs. That judgment isn’t about quality—it’s about which group’s taste gets taken seriously.

Weak answer:

I like anime, but some people think it’s dumb. I don’t really care what they think. I just like what I like. Everyone has different tastes.