ABSTRACT
In the sociological literature, the relationship between social inequality and patterns of cultural taste and consumption is the subject of a large and complex debate. This chapter starts by outlining the leading positions that have been taken up in this debate, and then presents some illustrative findings from a research programme in which the authors are currently engaged. Research data is collected from the work on musical consumption; data is used from the Arts in England survey which was carried out by the Office for National Statistics on behalf of Arts Council England. The survey was based on a stratified probability sample of individuals aged over 16 and living in private households in England in 2001. In addition to treating class and status separately, people also draw on information available from the Arts in England Survey on respondents' incomes and on their educational qualifications.
