Scribd
Upload
17 views

UCSP-Summary-of-Lessons

The document provides an overview of culture, society, and politics, emphasizing their interconnection in shaping human interactions and social systems. It defines key concepts such as material and non-material culture, norms, values, and beliefs, and discusses the role of culture in society and its influence on political systems. Additionally, it introduces the fields of anthropology, sociology, and political science, highlighting their focus on human behavior, social structures, and governance.

Uploaded by

tadipajericokaleb
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
17 views

UCSP-Summary-of-Lessons

The document provides an overview of culture, society, and politics, emphasizing their interconnection in shaping human interactions and social systems. It defines key concepts such as material and non-material culture, norms, values, and beliefs, and discusses the role of culture in society and its influence on political systems. Additionally, it introduces the fields of anthropology, sociology, and political science, highlighting their focus on human behavior, social structures, and governance.

Uploaded by

tadipajericokaleb
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Introduction to Culture, Society, and Politics: MQA Reviewer

Understanding culture, society, and politics is essential to analyzing human interactions and how social
systems function. These three concepts are intertwined and shape the way people live, govern, and
relate to each other.
Definition of Culture, Society, and Politics
• Culture
Culture is the collection of beliefs, values, practices, customs, behaviors, and material objects that
a group of people share. It encompasses everything that makes a society unique and influences
how individuals interact within that society. Culture includes both tangible elements like clothing
and buildings (material culture) and intangible elements like values and beliefs (non-material
culture).
• Society
Society refers to a group of individuals who share a common territory, culture, and social
institutions. Members of a society depend on one another and function as part of an organized
group. Society is not only about geographical proximity but also about the shared norms, values,
and systems that structure interactions.
• Politics
Politics involves the processes by which individuals and groups make decisions, particularly in
governance and public affairs. It encompasses the structures, institutions, and activities that
relate to the distribution of power and authority. Politics determines how resources are allocated
and how conflicts are resolved within a society.

Types of Culture
1. Material Culture
This refers to the physical objects or artifacts created by members of a society, such as buildings,
tools, technology, and art. These objects are tangible representations of cultural practices and
values.
Example: Historical monuments and traditional clothing.
2. Non-Material Culture
Non-material culture consists of intangible elements such as beliefs, values, customs, norms, and
symbols. These elements guide human behavior and influence how people think and interact with
one another.
Example: Religious beliefs, traditions, and languages.

Cultural Norms, Values, Beliefs, and Symbols


1. Norms
Norms guide behavior in specific situations. They ensure predictability and order within society by
outlining acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.
Example: Dressing appropriately in public and helping elders cross the street.
2. Values
Values provide the foundation for societal goals and actions. They shape what is seen as moral,
just, or desirable in a community.
Example: Valuing respect for women and elder people.
3. Beliefs
Beliefs shape how people perceive the world around them and often influence their actions and
behaviors. Some beliefs are tied to religion or superstition, while others stem from cultural
traditions.
Example: The belief that siblings should not marry within the same year is rooted in superstition.
4. Symbols
Symbols hold shared meaning within a culture. They can be used to represent ideas, values, or
historical events.
Example: A dove symbolizes peace, while a yellow rose represents joy and cheer.

The Role of Culture in Society


Culture plays a critical role in shaping the behavior, interactions, and structures of a society. The shared
beliefs, values, and practices of a group give people a sense of identity and belonging. Additionally,
culture influences political systems, as it dictates how power and resources are distributed, how laws are
made, and how conflicts are resolved.

Key Concepts in Culture, Society, and Politics


Anthropology
o Anthropology is the holistic study of human beings, focusing on both their biological and
cultural aspects. It examines what makes humans similar and different from each other,
looking at culture, society, language, history, and biology. Anthropology is divided into four
main subfields: cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, archaeology, and linguistic
anthropology.
Physical Anthropology
o Physical Anthropology (also known as biological anthropology) focuses on humans as
biological organisms. It studies human evolution, genetics, primatology, and human
physical adaptations. This subfield of anthropology looks at the biological aspects of
humans in relation to their environment.
Cultural Anthropology
o Cultural Anthropology focuses on the study of cultural variation among humans. It looks
at how different societies and groups of people organize their lives, communicate, form
social structures, and ascribe meaning to their surroundings. Cultural anthropologists
investigate customs, traditions, language, religion, art, and social institutions.
Cultural Change
o Cultural Change refers to the modification or transformation of cultural traits, norms,
beliefs, and practices within a society. This can result from innovation, diffusion, and
globalization, and can affect everything from technology to social institutions. Examples of
cultural change include the adoption of new technologies or shifts in social values.
Social Interaction and Patterns
o Cooperation – When individuals or groups work together to achieve shared goals.
o Exchange – Social interactions based on a reciprocal give-and-take, where actions are
rewarded.
o Competition – When individuals or groups strive to achieve goals that others are also
trying to reach.
o Accommodation – Adjustments made to peacefully coexist with others despite
differences.
Cultural Processes
o Diffusion – The spread of cultural traits from one society to another.
o Socialization – The process by which individuals learn the norms, values, and behaviors
required for participating in their society.
o Enculturation – The process of learning the cultural traits of the society into which one is
born.
Conformity and Deviance
o Conformity – Behavior that aligns with the norms and expectations of a group or society.
o Deviance – Actions that violate the established norms, often resulting in social disapproval
or punishment.

Sociology
o Sociology is the scientific study of society, social relationships, and social behavior.
Sociologists analyze how societies develop, how social institutions function, and how
individuals interact within societal structures. Key areas of focus include class, race,
gender, family, education, and religion.
Social Science
o Social Science is the branch of science devoted to the study of societies and the
relationships among individuals within those societies. It includes disciplines like sociology,
political science, anthropology, economics, and psychology. Social scientists use empirical
research methods to analyze human behavior, social institutions, and cultural practices.
Social Change
o Social Change refers to significant alterations in the patterns of social structure, behavior,
and social relations within a society. It encompasses shifts in social norms, roles, and
institutions over time. Social change can be driven by economic, technological, political, or
environmental factors.
What fuels Social Change?
o Globalization – The increasing interconnectedness of different societies through the
exchange of ideas, trade, and cultural influences.
o Migration
o Transnationalism

Political Science
o Political Science is the branch of social science that deals with the theory and practice of
politics, governance, and statecraft. It studies the structures, processes, and activities
involved in the distribution of power and resources in society. Political scientists analyze
government systems, political behavior, policy-making, and the role of institutions in
society.
Political Change
o Political Change refers to transformations in government structures, systems of authority,
and the ways power is exercised in society. This can include the development of new laws,
changes in leadership, revolutions, or reforms that alter the way a society is governed.

Auguste Comte: Father of Sociology


o Sociology as a formal academic discipline was founded by Auguste Comte in the early
19th century. Comte was the first to recognize the need for a systematic, scientific study of
human society, focusing on social order and change. His theory of positivism laid the
groundwork for modern sociology, emphasizing that all knowledge should be derived from
observable, scientific data.

You might also like