Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 11:20:40 +0000 (GMT)
From: Karl Maton <kam13-AT-hermes.cam.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: hysteresis



I was one of those who suggested looking in the index of Homo Acad, so
apologies if it's not there (on second thoughts, I'm not surprised - it's
not my favouritely rendered book).  

My memory (and this is just memory) is that Bourdieu appeals to the notion
of hysteresis of habitus to account for behaviour / practices which do not
seem to make sense when one relates them to the actor's social/field
position.  It refers to the fact that the dispositions of the habitus are
transposable and durable, and so changing social conditions will not bring
with them an automatic and commensurate change in dispositions.  This can
result in one engaging in practices shaped by dispositions which are no
longer in tune with one's circumstances, but a kind of hangover from
previous conditions.  

I visualise this, for some reason, in terms of the way that ants will keep
moving after they are dead.  (I don't know why this image comes to mind).  

Anyway, so one example might be (crudely) that say one is brash and loud
in order to be heard as a short working-class kid, and then continues to
be brash and loud even when one has become, say, an accountant.  

Must dash now....

Karl

p.s. I think hysteresis makes a lot of sense.  However, there is also a
case to be answered to the accusation that the conception is merely an ad
hoc addition to the theory enabling him to cope with things which don't
fit.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karl Maton
School of Education, 17 Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1QA
Tel. + 44 (0) 1223 336288
Fax: + 44 (0) 1223 332894
email: kam13-AT-cam.ac.uk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------


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