Cultural map of Finland 2007: analysing cultural differences using multiple correspondence analysis

This paper explores the patterns of cultural consumption in Finland using data collected in 2007 from a randomly selected sample of 3,000 persons. This is an explanatory study employing Multiple Correspondence Analysis as a method to map the cultural consumption patterns in Finland. The paper refers to a number of previous studies addressing the same issue in Denmark and particularly the UK in an attempt to place the results within a comparison framework. The main argument of this paper is not simply that within socio-economic groups there is a preference for similar culture, but that cultural preferences follow a structure over different domains that can be detected without reference to socio-economic factors. As a result of the analysis, two dimensions of the MCA solution are found, which represent differentiations between high engagement in culture versus disengagement and contemporary versus traditional forms of culture. These dimensions are very similar to the dimensions found in the UK, even if the placement of individual cultural activities varies somewhat. The applicability of the Bourdieusian approach to cultural differences between classes, as well as recent critical developments of the theory of distinction, will be discussed in light of the results.