Understanding Culture, Society and the belief that human cultures and

Politics societies are complex, diverse, and

constantly changing.
Lesson #1. Nature and coal of Anthropology
AGENCY
ANTHROPOLOGY the power of an individual to change
society or form a new one
 from Latin word anthropologia meaning
“the study of humanity” and Greek word BELIEFS
anthrōpos meaning “human being”. specific ideas that society holds to be
true
 not only humans in present time but also
life of ancestors through time and space in IDENTITY
relation to physical character, the set of perceived qualities that make
environmental social relations and culture. an individual unique from the rest

 popularized in Western America that is why NORMS

it has a major American influence rules and expectations by which a
society guides the behavior of its members
Franz Boas
"Father of Modern Anthropology” POWER
the ability to influence others
Anthropologist
 anthropology experts SYMBOL
 the root of this was their curiosity that anything that carries a particular meaning
leads to observation. recognized by people who share a culture

Ethnography Do we create our own identities?

Our identities are said to be socially-
 research method of long-term
constructed.
participant observation
 According to the social-constructionist
Ex. The Forest People and The Mountain People
view, one’s identity is formed through
by Colin Turnbull
our interaction with others and in
relation to social, cultural, and political
FIELD OF ANTHROPOLOGY
contexts. (Rice 2021)
How does society influence individuals
1. Biological or Physical Anthropology
(identities)?
• study of human origin and genetics
1. Social groups and norms
the social groups that an
2. Cultural Anthropology
individual belongs to also affect one’s
• study of living people, their clothing, food,
creation and maintenance of identity as
and anything part of their culture.
social groups and their members
practice specific norms.
3. Linguistic /Anthropological Linguistic
•study of language and its evolution
2. Cultural and sociopolitical
changes/phenomena
4. Archeology
events that happened in history
• study of the material remains of past.
have been continuously shaping the
GOALS OF ANTHROPOLOGY society and subsequently, the
1. Observe common things about people
individuals in it.
(tradition, culture, language)
3. National political events
2. Discover what makes people different from
Examples:
each other.
1. American-Filipino Relationship
3. Create new knowledge through researches
2. ABS-CBNs shutdown after the denial of
about humankind and behavior.
franchise
PERSPECTIVE OF ANTAROPOLOGY
4. Local events
An anthropological perspective is a way
Examples:
of seeing the world that is grounded in
 1. Barangay and SK officials involving the According to Panopio (2007), changes in
locals in policy-making through culture bring in society and human beings;
consultations. likewise, changes in society and human beings
bring change in culture and politics.
CULTURE
the ways of thinking, the ways of acting, b. Social Change
and the material objects that together form a the alteration in the structure or
people’s way of life. organization in the society, may it be in status,
Elements of Culture (Macionis, 2016) class, etc. (Encyclopedia Brittanica)
a. Symbols
b. Language
c. Values
d. Norms
d.1. Mores
d.2. Folkways
c. Cultural Change
How can individuals influence society? the modification of a society through
By broadening our perspective through innovation, invention, discovery or contact with
studying and observing. other societies (Merriam Webster).

1. Exercise of Power d. Political Change

An ability to share and influence other. the change in the governmental and
2. Agent of Change political system of a state through transition of
The capacity of an individual to change leadership, clash of ideologies, etc.
for the better.
Social Sciences PRAXIS
the study of society, culture and politics  Comes from the word “practice”
based on social and political philosophy (Scott  Information and committed action to
2006, p.9; Retrieved from Lanuza and search for the truth.
Raymundo)

Anthropology
study of the human species, its
immediate ancestors, and their cultures
(Conrad Kottak)

Sociology
deals with the scientific study of human
interactions, social groups and institutions,
whole societies, and the human world as such.
(Lanuza and Raymundo)

Political Science
study of governments and politics,
wherein the latter is defined as the activity
through which people make, amend and
preserve the general rules under which they
live. (Andrew Heywood)

MORAL COMPASS
From moral (what is right) and compass
(direction)
signifies someone’s set of values and
beliefs that guide them

“The only constant thing in the world is

change.”
a. Social Dynamics
Discipli Anthropol Sociolog Political
ne ogy y science
Focus Suspending Empathy Understan
judgement through ding
through sociologi manifestati
cultural cal on and
relativism imaginati exercise of
on power
Metho Appreciatin Examinin Engaging
d g cultural g on political
differences different and
point of societal
Understan views. happenings
ding .
Question
ing
aspects
and
perspecti
ve on
social
conflicts.

CULTURAL RELATIVISM
 Equality between different
cultures
 Respecting cultural differences
between and among cultures of
different groups of people.
Understanding Culture, Society and Types of Culture
Politics 1. Material
 It comprises of articles that are
Lesson: Concept of Culture identified with the material part of
our life
Culture Ex. The tangible things. The remains of the past.
◦ Latin expression clique or cultus’ Example: school, churches, temples, homes.
significance plowing, or developing or
refining and love. 2. Non-Material
◦ it implies developing and refining  Alludes to thoughts, standards,
musings and conviction.
What is culture? Note: Musing – a period of reflection or
 Culture is a powerful defining thought.
characteristic of human groups that
shapes our perceptions, behaviors, and Aspects of Culture
relationships. 1. Language
 Culture is a lifestyle 2. Identity
3. Actions
 Culture thus refers to a human-made 4. Space
environment which includes all the 5. Experience
material and nonmaterial products of 6. History
group life that are transmitted from one 7. Validity
generation to the next. 8. Symbol
9. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
According to the social scientists, culture 10. Values/Beliefs
consists of explicit and implicit patterns of 11. Norms
behavior acquired by human beings.
 It was transmitted through symbols, Example of Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
distinctive achievements of human
group, their artifacts.
 The essential core of culture thus lies in
those finer ideas which are transmitted
within a group-both historically derived
as well as selected with their attached
value.

 Culture is the epitome of the manner by

which we think and get things done.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF CULTURE
 It is likewise the things that we have
acquired as citizenry. 1. Dominant Culture/Mainstream Culture
 Every one of the accomplishments of Established language, religion, values,
individuals as individuals from rituals, and social customs which are often the
gatherings of people can be called norm for society as a whole.
culture. Ex. Catholic Filipino Speaker
 Workmanship, music, writing,
engineering, design, reasoning, religion 2. Subculture
and science can be viewed as parts of A smaller group of people who share their
culture. own norms, customs, values, etc. within the
 Notwithstanding, culture likewise dominant culture of the society.
incorporates the traditions, customs, Ex: Residents from different
celebrations, methods of living and provinces/regions; Jejemon and Hypebeast
one's attitude toward different issues of cultures
life.
3. Counterculture
A subculture whose values and norms of
behavior differ substantially from those of
mainstream society. It is often in opposition to
mainstream cultural norms.
Ex: protests and rallies advocating for
LGBTQ+ rights; “Woke” millennials

4. “High'' Culture
Cultural patterns or behaviours that
distinguish a society’s elite.
Ex: Watching the opera; eating at high-end
restaurants; buying designer’s fashion.

5. Popular Culture
Cultural patterns that are widespread
among society’s population.
Ex: Watching local TV shows; eating at fast
food restaurants and carinderias; buying from
ukay-ukay.

How do people view their culture?

1. Ethnocentrism
 a view that a particular group is the
center of everything.
 It is also the practice of judging
another culture by the standards of How do cultures change?
one’s own culture. (Ex: Superiority ◦ Invention
of Tagalogs over other ◦ Innovation
ethnolinguistic groups in the ◦ Discovery
Philippines). ◦ Cultures and societies change through a
2. Multiculturalism process called sociocultural change.
 Recognizes cultural diversity in a group
of people and promotes equality of What is Sociocultural Change?
cultural traditions. (Ex: Recognition of ◦ Gerhard Lenski - argued that a society’s
Muslims and IPs in national laws) level of technology is crucial in
determining what cultural ideas and
3. Cultural Relativism artifacts emerge or are even possible
 Holds that a person’s beliefs, values and (Nolan & Lenski, 2010; retrieved from
practices should be understood based Macionis, 2017).
on that person’s own culture rather ◦ Lenski also pointed to the importance
than be judged against the criteria of of sociocultural evolution: the historical
another. (Ex: Respect for the Ramadan changes in culture brought about by
practices of Filipino Muslims). new technology, which unfolds in terms
of four major levels of development:
hunting and gathering, horticulture and
pastoralism, agriculture, and industry
(Macionis, 2017).

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTURE

1. CULTURE is learned and acquired.
2. CULTURE is shared by a group of
people.
3. CULTURE is cumulative.
4. CULTURE changes.
5. CULTURE is dynamic
6. CULTURE gives us a scope of passable
standards of conduct.
7. CULTURE is diverse
8. CULTURE is ideational
Note: Cultural variation – Different culture A.)Conceptual
between region. B.) Substantial
 In sociologies since nineteenth century
Significance of Cultural Variation there is a long discussion about the
1. Environment – lifestyle, living condition utilization of the idea 'society’.
Ex. Pangasinan vs. nueva ecija
2. Isolation – tribe of T’boli Sociologists have characterized society with
3. Technology – Ex. Virtual museum, IRRI – two points:
International Rice Research Institute 1. In conceptual terms, as an organization
of connections between individuals or
Lesson: Concept of Society and Politics between gatherings.
2. In substantial terms, as an assortment
Society of individuals or an association of
◦ The word society comes from the latin people.
root socius, signifying "buddy" or
"being with others." L.T. Hobhouse (1908) characterized society as
◦ Gatherings of individuals joined by "tissues of connections".
fellowship or normal interests.
◦ A general public comprises of R.M. Maclver (1937) likewise characterized it in
individuals who share a region, who pretty much similar terms as "web of social
communicate with one another, and relations which is continually evolving".
who share a culture.
 "It (society) is an arrangement of uses
and techniques, of power and shared
 Society a group of people who shared guide, of numerous groupings and
the same laws, rights, and resources. divisions, of controls of human conduct
 The entire Philippine population is and of freedoms. This steadily changing,
considered as a large society but it is complex framework we call society."
composed of different small society.  Refining this definition, MacIver,
alongside his co-essayist Charles Page,
Social Difference later on characterized it in his new book
 It refers to the dissimilarities among Society: An Introductory Analysis (1949)
individuals based on their social subsequently:
characteristics and qualities.  For Maclver and Page, society is a
theoretical element as they state, "We
might see individuals yet can't see
society or social construction however
just its outer angles … society is
unmistakable from actual reality".

People differ in the following:

SEX – biological characteristics of human (Male
and Female)
GENDER – socially constructed roles, behavior,
activities and attributes
SOCIAL STANDING OR STATUS

Dorothy Smith (1926) characterizes society as

the "continuous concerting and organizing of
people's exercises" (Smith 1999).

How sociologist view Sociology?

 tissues of habits and customs
 society addressed something more
suffering and more profound than the
'state'
General Characteristics of Society CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIETY
 SOCIETY is ABSTRACT  It is a social system.
 Likeness and difference in society  It is relatively large.
 COOPERATION & CONFLICT IN SOCIETY  It socializes its members and from those
 SOCIETY IS A PROCESS NOT A without.
PRODUCT  It endures, produces and sustains its
 SOCIETY IS A SYSTEM OF members for generations.
STRATIFICATION  It holds its members through a common
culture.
Lesson: Modes of Acquiring Culture  It has clearly-defined geographical
territory.

POLITICS
◦ Greek word 'Polis‟, which implies the
city state.
◦ It is the science of government
CONCEPT OF SOCIETY AND POLITICS ◦ It is an art because it involves the
◦ The word society comes from the latin exercise of control or authority within
root socius, signifying "buddy" or society.
"being with others." ◦ It is the science of government or a
◦ Society a group of people who shared systematic body of knowledge that
the same laws, rights, and resources. deals with the government and
regulations.
◦ A general public comprises of ◦ CONFLICT and COOPERATION = as we
individuals who share a region, who looked back in our history, there’s a
communicate with one another, and struggle in our government, in politics.
who share a culture.
POLITICAL IDENTITY
◦ The entire Philippine population is  POLITICAL ARGUEMENTS which focus
considered as a large society but it is upon the interest and perspective of
composed of different small society. groups which people identify.

SOCIAL CHANGE
 The alteration of society over time or
changes in human interaction.
 The changes happen in society affect
the way of life, belief and our values of
the certain people in a certain area.
Lesson: Cultural, Social, Political and Economic CULTURAL SYMBOLS AND PRACTICES
Symbols and Practices

Symbol
 It is an object, word, or action that
stands for something else, without a
natural relationship that is culturally
defined.

Symbolism
 Is when something represents abstract CULTURAL PRACTICES
ideas or concepts; it assigns names, and
denominations, and defines relations
between various elements (actors,
actions, goals, means, objects, values,
etc.) articulated within a narrative.

Types of Symbols
◦ Cultural Symbols
- manifestation that signifies ideology of a
particular culture that has meaning within that
culture.
◦ Social Symbols
- relating to human societies and its modes of
organization (i.e., social classes, social
problems, social issues, etc.)

◦ Political Symbols
- used to represent a political standpoint
- banners, flag, motto, etc.

◦ Economical Symbols
- used in production, distribution, and
consumption of goods and services
- currency, market, labor, demands and other
economic activities.

Functions of Symbols and Symbolism

◦ Social symbols are used to transfer
culture, ideologies, or beliefs from
group to another group of people.
◦ Symbols are also used to preserve
traditions or beliefs of a certain group
of people.

◦ All symbols contain the “face” and

“hidden” values, the hidden value, in a
functional perspective, holds greater
meaning and importance than the face
value.
◦ Symbols and symbolism have been used
to create movements, spread ideas, and
share advocacies that surpasses time
and distance.
Lesson: Socialization  Adolescence is initiated between the
ages of childhood and adulthood.
What is SOCIALIZATION? During this stage, children start to
participate in Anticipatory
◦ Socialization is learning on how our Socialization.
society and specific communities, or  They also learn about their group
groups works so we can be a part of culture and what they should expect
them. in the future.
◦ It’s a process of working together in
developing responsibility in our 4. Professional or Developmental
community. Socialization
◦ Individual learns to conform to the  This process of socialization occurs
norms and values in a group and during the early years of an
develops his/her own self by individual's life.
learning and knowing about his/her  It develops his skills and attitudes for
own self from the others. the future and prepares him for the
various roles and responsibilities
MAIN FOCUS OF SOCIALIZATION that he will assume as an adult.
1. Acquisition of Knowledge
2. Language 5. Re-socializations
3. Values  “re” means “to repeat” or “again”
4. Habits  When an individual moves to a new
5. Skill in the Society group, he has to learn the new
values and beliefs of the new group.
TYPES OF SOCIALIZATION This process of re-socialization helps
1. Primary Socialization him to get used to the new ways of
 Occurs early in a child’s lifestyle and life.
is primarily due to have an impact  Ex. Migration from one city/province
directly from the family and close to another.
friends.  Ex. Changing behaviors and
 Through fundamental socialization, accepting behavior.
a baby learns basic societal norms  Ex. Joining Army/ ex convict
and customs.
 Ex. Mano or pagmamano as an THREE PARTS OF SOCIALIZATION
"honoring-gesture" to the elders. 1. Context
 Ex. Childhood Socialization.  Denotes culture, language, social
structures, and the individual’s
2. Secondary Socialization rank within them.
 Occurs when a person learns on  It includes the history and roles
appropriate behavior to be played by the people and
displayed within a smaller group institutions in the past.
which still part of a larger society.
 Happens during adolescence period. 2. Content and Process
 Ex. Joining a club or organization in  The work or activity in
college, getting employed in a new socialization.
workplace.  Content refers to the details of
 Ex. The independence from the what passed from a member to a
parents start already. new member.
 Process means the interactions
3. Anticipatory Socialization and ways these new norms,
 From the word “anticipate” values and customs are thought
meaning something you are looking to a novice.
forward to.
 3. Results and Outcomes
 Refers to what happens to an 2. Norms and Values
individual after being exposed to  Norms are culturally determined
a particular contents and rules that guide people regarding
process. what is right, wrong, proper, or
improper.
 Norms create predictability in daily
CONTEXT OF SOCIALIZATION
affairs and interactions, making it
1. Biological Context
easier to live with other members
 Sociobiologist suggest that some of society (Newman, 2012). These
human capacities may be "wired norms are fundamental to the
into" our biological makeup. establishment of social order in any
 Some hormones (i.e. vasopressin society (Newman, 2012).
and oxytocin) encourage human
to interact and socialize with 3. Status- position that an individual can
other people. occupy in society (Newman, 2012)
3.1 Achieved Status- status you
2. Psychological Context worked hard for.
 Composed of: 3.2 Ascribed Status- in-born status
(1) Emotional states and such as race and sex.
unconsciousness  Ascribed is not earned, and it is
(2) Cognitive theories of not something that people have
development control over. For instance, it can
(3) Social and historical events be ascribed to a person's race or
(4) Social position as part of the sex. Also, it is not usually a
context choice in most matters.

TWO PROCESS CONSEQUENCES OF SOCIALIZATION

◦ Establishment of self-concept
For an individual to become a member of a ◦ Creates the capacity for role taking
society he/she must go through these two ◦ Creates the tendency for people to
processes: socialization / enculturation. act in socially acceptable ways.
◦ Make people bearers of culture.
Socialization Enculturation
GOALS OF SOCIALIZATION
Enculturation occurs when cultural ◦ Impulse control and the
knowledge is passed on to the next bearer development of conscience
which will perpetuate and ensure the ◦ Role preparation and performance,
continuance of their traditions and including occupational roles, gender
practices Santarita and Madrid, 2016 roles, and roles in institutions such
as marriage and parenthood.
Ex. Act of courtesy and hospitality of ◦ The cultivation of sources of
Filipinos are acquired through socialization meaning, or what is important,
because these two learned with their valued, and to be lived for.
nearest group like family and friends. On
the other hand, enculturation takes place Lesson: Sociological Perspective of Society
when one culture or tradition is adopted.  Different sociological perspective
enable sociologist to view social
This process results to the following: issues through a variety of useful
1. Identity formation lenses.
 A process in which humans
develop a clear and unique view CONSENSUS
of themselves and of their
identity.
According to Wikipedia, it is a Latin word  Ex. Joint Statement: 22 NGOs
that means “agreement, accord” derived Call for Urgent Action to
from consentire meaning “feel together”. Strengthen the Protection of
CONSENSUS THEORY Civilians in Conflict
 The term consensus means
agreement.
 It is used in sociology to describe
theories that stress the essential CONFLICT THEORY by Karl Marx
cohesion and solidarity of society,
where the core principle of social life Key question: What does it mean to be
is an agreement or the mutual free?
cooperation of the members of  A term associated with the theories
society. of Karl Marx, in which different
groups in society compete over
Consensus Theory is divided into two: limited resources.
1. Social Contract Theory  Seeks to explain the nature of
 By Thomas Hobbes society and social relationships.
 Free people agree to form  It posits that society is characterized
community and give up some of by conflicts and tensions between
their individual freedom to different groups of people who have
benefit society. different interests and values.
 The view that persons’ moral  It is a perspective in sociology.
and/or political obligations are  Social psychology that emphasizes
dependent upon a contract or the centrality of tensions and
agreement among them to form conflicts in society which arise when
the society in which they live. finite resources, power, and status
 An agreement for the are not distributed evenly between
betterment of the people in people and groups.
society.
 According to Karl Marx, the
2. Social Solidarity Theory history of the world is nothing
 By Emil Durkheim but the history of class conflict,
 Social solidarity is the cohesion that is, conflict between
between individuals in a society patricians and plebeians,
that ensure social order and masters and slaves, employers
stability. and employees, and workers and
 It underlines the capitalists.
interdependence between
people in a society, which makes  Bourgeoisie (capitalists) – owns and
them feel that they can improve controls the economy, production,
the lives of others (Durkheim, stock market, and flow of money.
1993).  Proletariat (workers) – people that
 Solidarity is based on “we- are exploited to produce goods and
thinking”. services for their own profit.
 Solidarity is based on
reciprocity, shared membership KEY CONCEPTS that are central to conflict
and behavior according to the theory:
norms of the group (Laitinen and
Pessi, 2014). 1. POWER
 An agreement for the  Power is concentrated in the
betterment of the people in hands of the dominant group.
society. 2. EXPLOITATION
 It refers to the process by which
the dominant group extract
 value from the subordinate
without providing fair
compensation.
3. CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS
 Refers to the awareness that
members of the subordinate
group have of their shared
economic and political interests.
4. SOCIAL INSTITUTION
 Such as government, education,
and the media, are organized in
a way that reflects and
reinforces the interest of the
dominant group.

FUNCTIONALISM THEORY
 Sees society as a structure with
interrelated parts designed to
meet the biological and social
needs of the individuals in that
society.