Pierre Bourdieu developed a theory of action around the habitus concept. This theory refers to attitudes and values that shape an individual’s actions and perceptions of the world. Someone’s habitus is strongly shaped by their social, cultural, and economic background. It is also shaped by their life experiences. It operates at an individual and a collective level. This means it shapes the behavior of not only the individual, but also the behavior of entire social groups. Habitus is described as largely unconscious; it is mostly an experienced phenomenon. There are different habitus that exist for people from different environments. Each habitus has its own set of knowledge and skills, which can lead to inequalities.
Habitus was the concept of how social class felt in our own bodies. Depending on how one spoke, carried themselves, ate, showed emotions, interacted with people in social occasions, and how we perceive others. Habitus reflects what kind, or kinds, of capital a person has accumulated. Bourdieu has directly linked habitus to capitals. Meaning, certain kinds of capitals are valued more in certain fields. Often, overall volumes of capitals that one possesses could be the most important one within that certain field. Due to the symbolic capital one acquires within a field shapes whether one is included or excluded from a certain social group.
Bourdieu’s theoretical contribution of the habitus concept is still relevant today due to how sociologist today can use this concept to help better understand how people act the way they do, dress, talk, and treat others in society. Habitus can also help those understand why they feel the way they do in society and help them feel less alone in the world.
Sources:
Bourdieu, Pierre. “The Forms of Capital.” The Forms of Capital by Pierre Bourdieu 1986, 1986, www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/fr/bourdieu-forms-capital.htm.
Ramsey, Grace, and Grace RamseyJournalistMaster in Public Policy (MPP). “Pierre Bourdieu & Habitus (Sociology): Definition & Examples.” Simply Sociology, 20 Apr. 2023, simplysociology.com/pierre-bourdieu-habitus.html.
Truong, Nicolas, and Nicolas Weill. “A Decade after His Death, French Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu Stands Tall.” The Guardian, 21 Feb. 2012, www.theguardian.com/world/2012/feb/21/pierre-bourdieu-philosophy-most-quoted.