Richard A. Peterson and the culture of consumption

Abstract

This article discusses the work of Richard A. Peterson in the field of cultural consumption. Peterson studied patterns of cultural choice and coined the term 'cultural omnivore', which has become part of the standard vocabulary of cultural scholars. After a brief overview of the current state of the art, and Peterson's contribution to it, the author attempts to provide a description of who the cultural omnivore is and how we might better understand the omnivore taste pattern by simultaneously considering breadth and content of cultural tastes.