Abstract:

Indepth case analysis of E Village contributes to the

understanding of typical social differentiation process in villages.A

qualitative research on rural community differentiation from the internal

perspective reveals that the rapid social differentiation process closely

connects with “face competition”.Ordinary villagers initiatively control

their giftexchange circle to keep up with the taste and thus maintain

their dignity，while the economic elites expand and upgrade their gift

exchange circle.What′s more，psychological discomfort arises between

villagers of different levels when interacting with each other，and thus

their social intercourse sphere being separated.In brief，the economic

capital，social capital，and symbolic capital within the village sphere are

transforming into and mutually strengthening each other，and the boundary of

different status are enlarging and becomes distinct.

Key words: social differentiation, face competition, giftexchange circle