A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Habitus and the psychosocial: Bourdieu with feelings




AuthorsReay Diane

Publication year2015

JournalCambridge Journal of Education

Volume45

Issue1

Number of pages15

ISSN0305-764X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/0305764X.2014.990420


Abstract

This paper explores the potential of habitus to provide a window on the psychosocial. The paper works with a notion of psychosocial study as inquiry into the mutual constitution of the individual and the social relations within which they are enmeshed. At the same time it attempts to deepen and enrich notions of habitus. Although the strong focus on agency and structure has overshadowed the role of emotions and the emotional life of individuals within conceptualisations of habitus in Bourdieu’s work, the paper argue that there are strong links between the psychosocial and Bourdieu’s concept of habitus. Drawing on empirical data on the affective aspects of living in an unequal society, the paper seeks to develop a psychosocial understanding of habitus that allows for a better and richer understanding of how the exterior – wider social structures – is experienced and mediated by the interior, the psyche.



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