Culture, Behavior, and Taste

In the context of sociology, “habitus” refers to the lifestyle of a distinct group of people that are demonstrated in the routine activities of daily life, adherence to which defines an individual’s affiliations in the social world.  In particular, it pertains to natural behaviors rather than affectations, though there can be some argument that a behavior must be consciously practiced for some time before it becomes natural.

This concept seems to lack the notion of self-consciousness and tends to exclude that habits may be affected or purposefully adopted by an individual as a means of distinguishing himself from others of his social group.   Some habits and tastes are adopted to fit in, others to set oneself apart – though likely the degree to which a person chooses one or the other depends on the value of distinction in their culture.

It also seems inaccurate that habits and tastes accrue accidentally.  Every culture has coaches who encourage certain behaviors and discourage others.   Parents, teachers, and peers work upon an individual from the earliest years of their lives, seeking to intentionally influence their behaviors and tastes.   Some habits are picked up unconsciously from people who do not have an explicit intention to modify the behavior of others – but my sense is that most habits are taught.

It is also likely that people are unaware of their habitus.    They behave in a way that feels normal for them, make choices based on their preferences, and like what they like without ever questioning the forces that have shaped their tastes.   There is very little deliberation and compulsion about our actions in daily life, and few instances in which an individual makes a concerted effort to control his own behavior, though some individuals are particularly self-conscious in everything they do, most go about their business without much thought.

Much of what a person does is culturally derived.  Consider the consumption of caviar – a person may consume it conspicuously in order to give the impression that he has discerning tastes, and claim to enjoy it even though he finds it quite horrible.   Anything that is an “acquired taste” is by admission intentionally acquired.

Even genuine behavior, the things we consume for enjoyment when no-one else is watching, is culturally derived.   Keeping with the example of caviar, wealthier individuals are more likely to have encountered it when interacting within their own social circles than are less wealthy individuals.   Further, he would find less toleration of class-inappropriate behavior in the company of his fellows.  But more frequent exposure to something makes it more familiar, more comfortable, more “normal.”

And so, habitus seems to be very restricted to the things that a person feels compelled to do when they are conscious of their social standing.  Whether a person wishes to communicate belonging to their actual class or aspires to masquerade as a person of a different class, their behavior in such situations is highly affected rather than natural.  And my sense is that the majority of behavior is unconscious – it may be that class has an indirect influence, but it is not as important as the concept of habitus might suggest.