2018•The International Encyclopedia of AnthropologyRequires access
Habitus
Deborah Reed‐Danahay
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Abstract
Habitus is a concept that is most closely associated with the writings of Pierre Bourdieu. It refers to an embodied orientation to the world that includes dispositions, tastes, aspirations, and points of view. Habitus is acquired in childhood and involves practical knowledge about the world and how to behave within it that appears as common sense or doxa . It is not a unique attribute of an individual but rather it is shared by those of a similar background. Bourdieu described it as a location in social space.