UNDERSTANDING

CULTURE, SOCIETY AND

POLITICS
 OBJECTIVES:
 explain the concept of society and culture in
anthropological and sociological perspective;
 describe some major characteristics of society and
culture;
 differentiate between the various meanings of culture
within society; and
 appreciate the significance of culture in the society
• Society is deerived from the Latin term “societas”,
from socius, which means companion or associate.

• Thus, it refers to all people, collectively regarded as

constituting a community of related, interdependent
individuals living in a definite place, following a
certain mode of life (Ariola, 2012).
 The following are reasons people live
together
a. For survival
as a society (Ariola, 2012):
• No man is an island. No man can live alone.
From birth to death,man always dependsn upon
his parents and from others.

• The care, support, and protection given by them are

important factors for survival.
b. Feeling of gregariousness
• This is the desire of people to be withother people, esecially of
their own culture. People flock together for emotional warmth
and belongingness. the need for approval, sympathy and
understanding to which the individual belongs is a
psychosocial need.

• Among Filipinos, the feeling of gregariousness is found in all

levels of society, especially among the lower socio- econmic
classess. The more the person is needy, the more he craves
sympathy and understanding from someone else.
c. Specialization

• Teachers, businessmen, students, physicians,

nurses, lawyers, pharmacists, and other
professionals organize themselves into societies or
associations to promote and protect
their own professions.
 Characteristics of Society
1. It is a social system
• is a complex set of relationships, institutions, and norms
that organize and structure the interactions and behaviors
of individuals within a society.

• It encompasses various components, such as social

institutions (e.g., family, education, religion), social roles,
norms, and values, that work together to maintain social
order and facilitate cooperation and cohesion among
members of the society.
2. It is relatively large

• The people must be socialy integrated to be

considered relatively large than if the people are
individually scattered.

• Thus, the people in a family, clan, tribe,

neighborhood, community are
socially integrated to be relatively large in scope.
3. It socializes its members and from those from
without.

• Since most of society’s members are born to it, they

are taught the basic norms and expectations.

• Those who come from other societies, before being

accepted as functioning members, are socialized
and taught the basic norms andexpectations of the
society.
4. It endures, produces and sustains its members for
generations.

• For society to survive, it must have the ability to

produce, endure and sustain its new members for at
least several generations.

• For instance, if a society cannot assist its members

during their extreme conditions of hunger and poverty,
that society will not survive long.
5.It holds its members through a common
culture.

• The individuals in a society are held

together because that society has symbols,
norms, values, patterns of interaction,
vision and mission that are commonly
shared by the members of such society.
6. It has clearly-defined geographical
territory.

• The members in a society must live in

a certain specific habitat or place and
have a common belongingness and
sense of purpose.
Major Functions

of Society
A society is important because they have the following functions:

1. It provides a system of socialization. Knowledge and skills,

dominant patterns of behavior, moral and social values, and aspects
of personalityare transmitted to each members, especially to the
young. the family, the peer group, the school, the church and other
government and non- government organizations play a role in the
individual’s development.

2. It provides the basic needs of its members. Food, clothing,

shelter, medicine, education, transportations and communication
facilities, among others must be provided by society to satisfy the
basic needds of
its members.
3. It regulates and controls people’s behavior.

• Conformity to the prevailing norms of conduct ensures

social control. The police, armed forces, law enforcement
agencies and even the church and other government and
non-government organizations exist as means of social
control. Peace and order are created through a system of
norms and formal organizations.
4. It provides the means of social participation.

• Through social participation, the individuals in a society learn

to interact with each other, present and discuss their concerns
and solve their own problems or renew their commitment and
values.

• The people are give the opportunities to contribute to their

knowledge and skills for the betterment of their family,
neighborhood and community. religious organizations, civic
organizations, people’s organizations (PO) and non-government
organizations (NGOs) do their part in community developement.
5. It provides mutual support to the members.

• Mutual support is provided to the members of society in the

form of relief in any form and solution to problems met by
them. This form of assistance may come from the family,
neighbors, clans, government and non-government
agencies, civic and religious organizations.
Types of
Societies
1. Hunting and Gathering Societies:
Small, nomadic groups that rely on hunting
animals and gathering plants for subsistence.

2.Pastoral Societies:
Societies that rely on domesticated animals for
food, clothing, and transportation.
Culture refers to the shared beliefs,
customs, practices, and social behaviors of
a particular group or society.
It encompasses a wide range of human activities and norms, including:

• Language: The system of communication used by a particular

community or country.

• Art and Music: Creative expressions and forms of entertainment that

reflect the values and aesthetics of a society.

• Religion and Spirituality: Belief systems and practices related to the

sacred and the divine.

• Cuisine: The types of food and methods of preparation that are

characteristic of a particular group.

• Social Norms and Laws: The rules and guidelines that govern the
behavior of individuals within a society.
• Traditions and Rituals: Practices and ceremonies that are
passed down through generations.

• Values and Ethics: The principles and moral beliefs that

influence decision-making and behavior.

• Fashion and Dress: Styles of clothing and personal

adornment that are prevalent in a society.

• Architecture and Housing: The design and structure of

buildings and living spaces.

• Technology and Tools: The inventions and innovations that a

society uses to solve problems and enhance life.
Take note:
• Culture is dynamic and constantly evolving,
influenced by internal developments and
external interactions with other cultures.

• It shapes and is shaped by the people within

it, creating a complex and interwoven
tapestry of human life.
Society is a group of individuals who live together in a
more or less ordered community, sharing common
institutions, traditions, and collective activities.
Here are some key aspects of society:

• Social Structure: The organized pattern of relationships and

institutions that together form the basis of society. This includes
family, education, religion, law, economy, and government.

• Institutions: Established organizations and norms that guide

behavior and fulfill the needs of the community, such as schools,
churches, businesses, and governments.

• Social Groups: Collections of individuals who interact and share

some aspects of identity, such as families, friends, colleagues, and
communities.
• Culture: The shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that
members of society use to cope with their world and with one another.

• Roles and Status: The patterns of behavior expected of individuals in different

social positions, and the prestige associated with those positions.

• Social Norms: The rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior
of its members. These can be formal, such as laws, or informal, such as customs
and traditions.

• Socialization: The process by which individuals learn and adopt the values, norms,
and behaviors appropriate to their society. This happens through family, education,
peer groups, and media.
• Community and Interaction: The ways in which individuals interact
with each other and form communities. This includes both face-to-
face interactions and more complex organizational relationships.

• Change and Continuity: Societies are dynamic and continually

evolving due to internal developments and external influences.
Change can be gradual or sudden, but societies also have
mechanisms to maintain continuity and stability.

Take note: In essence, society is the network of relationships and

structures that connect individuals and groups, enabling them to
function collectively and meet their basic needs and aspirations.
SOCIOLOGY- Sociology is the scientific study of
society, social relationships, and social behavior. It seeks to
understand how human actions and consciousness both shape
and are shaped by surrounding cultural and social structures
ANTHROPOLOGY- is the systematic study of
human kind. It is from the words Anthopos
which means man and Logos means study. It
deals with the scientific study of man, his
works, his body, his behavior and values in
time and space.
Here are the primary subfields of anthropology:

1.Cultural Anthropology: This subfield studies contemporary human

cultures and societies. Cultural anthropologists explore social
practices, rituals, beliefs, and institutions, often through methods like
participant observation and ethnography.

2Biological (or Physical) Anthropology: This subfield examines the

biological and evolutionary aspects of humans, their ancestors, and
related primates. It includes the study of human genetics, fossil
records, primatology, and human biological diversity.
3.Archaeology: Archaeologists investigate past human
societies through their material remains, such as artifacts,
structures, and landscapes. This subfield aims to
reconstruct and understand past human behavior, cultural
practices, and social organization.

4. Linguistic Anthropology: This subfield studies the role of

language in human societies. Linguistic anthropologists
explore how language shapes communication, social
identity, cultural beliefs, and power dynamics.
Political science is the academic discipline
that studies government, politics, and
policies. It examines the theory and practice
of politics and analyzes political systems,
behavior, and structures.
Key concepts in political science include:

• Power and Authority: The ability to influence or control the behavior of people and
the legitimate right to do so.

• State and Government: The organization and institutions through which political
authority is exercised.

• Democracy and Autocracy: Different forms of governance, with democracy

emphasizing participation and representation, and autocracy involving
concentrated power.

• Political Institutions: Structures like legislatures, executives, and judiciaries that

organize and manage political life.

• Political Culture: The set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices that shape political
behavior and institutions.
 Key Political Science Perspectives:

Classical Political Theory

• Focuses on the ideas and writings of classical political

philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Machiavelli.
This perspective explores fundamental questions about
justice, power, authority, and the nature of the state.

• Example: Aristotle's classification of governments into

monarchies, aristocracies, and democracies.
Marxist Theory

• Focuses on the role of economic structures and class

relations in shaping political power and institutions. This
perspective emphasizes the conflict between different
social classes and the impact of capitalism on political
systems.
• Example: Examining how economic inequality influences
policy-making and political representation.
Institutionalism

• Focuses on the role of political institutions (such as

legislatures, executives, and judiciaries) and their impact
on political outcomes. This perspective examines how
institutions shape and constrain political behavior.
Rational Choice Theory

• Assumes that individuals are rational actors who make

decisions by weighing the costs and benefits to maximize
their utility. This approach is often used to analyze political
decision-making and strategic behavior.

• Example: Analyzing how politicians make policy decisions

based on the potential for gaining votes or political
support.