Sport as Symbolic Capital: A Factorial Survey Approach

Symbolic capital is a pivotal concept in Bourdieu’s theory of distinction. It signifies the level of social esteem individuals receive for what is widely perceived as their ‘personal choice’ of lifestyle. This concept is predicated on the notion that leisure activities are recognized, classified, and differentially evaluated, for instance, as expressions of a distinguished upper class or a profane working class lifestyle. The present paper examines such status-associated classifications in the domain of sport. Utilizing factorial surveys, it is demonstrated that sport is a source of symbolic capital, but varies between sporting activities. Findings indicate that respondents recognize golf, tennis, skiing, and equestrian as ‘high-status’ sports and boxing, bowling, darts, and football as ‘low-status’ sports. Respondents ascribe to practitioners of high-status sports more positive qualities, such as productivity, popularity, and happiness. Consequently, sport functions as a widely recognized status marker, being able to convert privileged class positions into social esteem.