Cultural connections: the relation between cultural tastes and socioeconomic network resources

Roza Meuleman

doi:10.1016/j.poetic.2021.101540

Abstract

Previous research has argued that by discussing and demonstrating cultural tastes, people identify shared preferences and group membership. Nevertheless, it remains relatively unclear to what extent cultural tastes are related to the formation of social network relations. The present study therefore examines the relationship between individuals’ highbrow and popular tastes and their socioeconomic network resources (i.e. the network's level and heterogeneity in terms of education and job status). Additionally, it examines to what extent highbrow tastes are more positively related to the network's socioeconomic status level among higher status groups (cultural reproduction) or lower status groups (cultural mobility). Based on Dutch panel data (2009–2013), the analyses yield three main findings. First, cultural tastes are related to the network's socioeconomic status level, but not to its heterogeneity. That is, individuals with more highbrow tastes, have more (non-kin) network members with a higher education/job status and fewer with a lower education/job status – and highbrow tastes are generally more strongly related to the network's socioeconomic status level than popular tastes. However, individuals with more popular tastes do not have a more heterogeneous network in terms of socioeconomic resources, after controlling for network size. Second, the effect of highbrow tastes on the network's socioeconomic status level is stronger than the reverse effect. Third, there are indications that highbrow tastes are more positively related to the network's socioeconomic status level among lower than higher status groups (cultural mobility).

Highlights

By discussing and demonstrating cultural tastes, people identify shared preferences and group membership (e.g. DiMaggio 1987; Edelmann & Vaisey, 2014; Lamont & Lareau, 1988; Lizardo, 2006)
It is relatively unknown to what extent cultural tastes are related to social network resources, previous studies have shown that individuals can benefit from these social network resources in various
Building on the notions of cultural reproduction (Bourdieu, 1984) and homophily (McPherson et al, 2001), previous studies have argued that people from higher status positions use highbrow tastes to identify, and form relationships with, other members from higher status backgrounds whilst excluding members from lower status backgrounds

Summary

Introduction

By discussing and demonstrating cultural tastes, people identify shared preferences and group membership (e.g. DiMaggio 1987; Edelmann & Vaisey, 2014; Lamont & Lareau, 1988; Lizardo, 2006). It remains relatively unclear to what extent cultural tastes assist in the formation of social network relations. Based on the status argument by Bourdieu (1984) and building on the idea of homophily (McPherson, Smith-Lovin, & Cook, 2001), it has been argued that through highbrow tastes (e.g. opera, ballet, classical concerts), people from higher status positions identify (dis)similar others and establish social ties with high status members whilst excluding people from lower status groups (Bourdieu, 1984; Lamont and Lareau, 1988; Nagel, Ganzeboom, Kalmijn, 2011). Popular tastes (e.g. cinema, pop concerts) have been argued to hold a more generalized conversion value, assisting in the formation of more diverse network ties (Lizardo, 2006). It is relatively unknown to what extent cultural tastes are related to social network resources, previous studies have shown that individuals can benefit from these social network resources in various (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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