UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

always describes human, human behavior and -culture, cultural relativism, fieldwork, human
human societies around the world. diversity, holism, bio-cultural focus.
It is a branch of sociology. It describes human, Four main perspectives of Anthropology
human behavior and human societies and it examines
1. CROSS- CULTURAL OR COMPARATIVE
all societies around the world.
EMPHASIS
Cultural anthropology studies, human societies 2. EVOLUTIONARY/HISTORICAL
and elements of cultural life. EMPHASIS
3. ECOLOGICAL EMPHASIS
An example of cultural anthropology is the
4. HOLISTIC EMPHASIS
Linguistic anthropology focuses on language
in a certain society.
-introduces the discipline of
-Goal: understand the origin of human evolution Sociology
and the diverse forms of its existence throughout time -explores what sociologists do.
THREE MAJOR THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE
OF SOCIOLOGY
1. FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE- societies
are thought to function like organisms, with various
study of human social relationships and
social institutions working together like organs to
institutions
maintain and reproduce societies.
-Sociology’s subject matter is diverse, ranging 2. CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE- sees social life as
from crime to religion, from the family to the state, from a competition, and focuses on the distribution of
the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs resources, power, and inequality.
of a common culture, and from social stability to radical 3. SYMBOLIC INTERACTION PERSPECTIVE
change in whole societies.
-PURPOSE/ GOAL: to understand how human - is used to analyze and explain objects of
action and consciousness both shape and are shaped by
social study, and facilitate organizing sociological
surrounding cultural and social structure
knowledge.

studies the tendencies and actions of people

-deals with humans and their interactions. that cannot be easily quantified or examined.
-is more focused than most social sciences.
-It is a branch of sociology; it essentially deals - an example is the study of democracy as a form of
with the large-scale actions of humans and group government and why is democracy considered the best
mentality it is a discipline that deals with several aspects form of government
such as the study of state and government.
-the study of power relationships and competing
interests among states around the world.
 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

LGBTQi

refers to the differences in social behaviors that TRANSGENDER- people are those psychological
different cultures exhibit around the world. self ( gender identity) differs from the social expectations
for the physical sex they were born with.
1. RELIGION- a system of beliefs and practices as well
as systems of actions directed toward entities which are QUEER/ QUESTIONING- a person who is attracted
above men to multiple genders

- comes from the latin word RELIGARE means TO INTERSEX- a set of medical conditions that feature
BIND TOGETHER congenital anomalies of the reproductive and sexual
system
-an organized system of ideas about the spiritual sphere
or the supernatural 2. SOCIO- ECONOMIC STATUS - it refers to the
category of person who have more or less the same
2. ETHNICITY- the expression of the set of cultural socio- economic priveleges.
ideas held by a distinct ethics or indigenous group.
• UPPER CLASS- Wealthy with inherited family
3. NATIONALITY- legal relationship that binds a fortunes or assets/investments
person and a country. It allows the state to protect and - may have significant political and societal
have jurisdiction over a person. influence
- luxurious lifestyles, expensive homes, and
possessions
-differences among the individuals based on • MIDDLE CLASS- comfortable standard of
social characteristics and qualities. living but not extremely wealthy
- more financial security and stability than
-are the complex differences ( class, race, culture, age,
lower-class
ability, sex, etc.)
-reliant on salaries, savings, and benefits from
- can create discrimination among individuals based on employment
their social characteristics - vulnerable to economic downturns or
instability
1. GENDER- is the socially-constructed characteristic • LOWER- CLASS -living below the poverty
of being male or female. line with very limited financial means
-serve as a guide on how males and females think and act - low-paying job or unemployment
about themselves - inadequate access to healthcare, edication, and
healthy foods
- struggle to afford basic necessities
- reliant on government assistance programs
-limited opportunities for upward economic
mobility
 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

3.EXCEPTIONALITY- refers to the state of being

intellectually gifted and/or having physically or mentally
challenged conditions

1. SUBCULTURES- a segment of society that shares a

distinctive pattern of mores, folkways, and values that 1. BELIEFS- state or habit of mind where trust or
may differ from the pattern of the larger society. confidence is placed in someone or something.
- a culture within a culture ASPECTS OF BELIEFS:
2. COUNTER CULTURE- a group whose values and 1. TRUST AND CONFIDENCE- having
norms place it at odds with mainstream society or a group faith or confidence in the existence of
that actively rejects dominant cultural values and norms. something
3. HIGH CULTURE/ POPULAR CULTURE 2. ACCEPTED TRUTH- encompasses ideas
HIGH CULTURE- used in a number of different ways or opinions that are considered true
in academic discourse, whose most common meaning is 3. CONVICTION- about the truth of a
the set of cultural products, mainly arts, held in the highest statement or the reality of
esteem by culture. being/phenomenon
-is a culture practiced and patronized by the upper classes 2. PRACTICES- habits and ways of doing things
of the society. that are established in a society and are practiced
EXAMPLES: classical music, opera, ballet, live theater in the same way by all its inhabitants
3. TRAITS- quality that sets one person or thing
POPULAR CULTURE- based on the tastes of ordinary off from another a distinguishing quality( as of
people rather than an educated elite. personal character)
- a culture practiced or patronized by the middle and 4. VALUES- fundamental beliefs that guide our
working classes of the society. choices and actions
EXAMPLES: rock concerts, spectator sports, movies, INFLUENCE ON BEHAVIOR
soap operas, situation comedies • DECISION-MAKING- values help us choose
IDEAS CULTURE- is the way people describe the the path that aligns with our core beliefs
standard of behavior-the blueprint which provides the • SELF-IDENTITY- values form the basis of
directions and guidelines in relating with others or doing how we see ourselves as individuals
things • INTERPRETATION OF THE WORLD-
REAL CULTURE- refers to how one behaves in an values affect how we interpret the world around
actual situation within the context of what may be us
regarded as acceptable by the other members of society. • DYNAMIC NATURE- values evolve over
time through experiences, relationships, and
reflect
 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

5. ATTITUDES- are evaluative judgments formed 4. LAWS ( LEGAL NORMS)- an expression of a

towards objects, people, or ideas very strong moral norm that exist to control people’s
behavior explicity

3 MAIN COMPONENTS overarching principles that determine what is

1. COGNITIVE COMPONENTS- reflects or beliefs considered good or desirable
and thoughts related to the attitude -beliefs that we have about what is important, both to us
2. AFFECTIVE COMPONENTS- involves emotions and to society as a whole
and feelings associated with the attitude
3. BEHAVIORAL COMPONENTS- represent our EXAMPLES: honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness,
behavioral response to the attitude and kindness
IMPACTS ON BEHAVIOR
• CONSISTENCY
• ATTITUDE CHANGE SYMBOLS- signs, gestures, images, or objects that carry
• SOCIAL NORMS ANND CULTURAL complex meanings
INFLUENCES
-flags, tattoos, clothing styles trophies
6. NORMS- culture have rules for acceptable behaviors LANGUAGE- verbal and non-verbal communication
in social situations
Examples; etiquette, greetings, use of formal vs -reflects cultural concepts, identities and worldwide
informal language
2 TYPES OF NORMS
1. FORMAL NORMS shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors,
2. INFORMAL NORMS ( FOLKWAYS AND and material objects that characterize a group and are
CUSTOMS)- the standards of behavior that are passed on from generation to generation
considered less important but still influence how
-consist of intangible aspects
we behave
7. LAWS- standards of behavior considered the most -shapes society by informing social roles and institutions
important in any society
refer to group of people that follows or shares
specific behavioral standards or rules in a some cultures
society. -consist of tangible aspects
SOCIAL NORMS- specific rules dictating how people
should act in a particular situation, values are general -stabilizes culture by embedding rituals, traditions, and
ideas that support the norm norms into social structures

FOUR TYPES OF NORMS

1. FOLKWAYS- related to everyday social behavior CULTURE AND SOCIETY ARE INDEPENDENT
that is followed out customs, traditions, or routine.
one of the founder of modern
2. MORES- failure to conform to them will result in a
Anthropology
much stronger social response from the person or
people who resent your failure to behave - characterize culture as a “complex whole” which
appropriately encompasses beliefs, practices, traits, values, attitudes,
3. TABOOS- behaviors, practices, or topics laws, norms, artifacts, symbols, knowledge, and
considered profoundly offensive, repugnant, and everything that a person learns and shares as a member of
acceptable by a society or cultural group the society
 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

The differences in cultural

practices, beliefs, and norms that exist between societies
- suggest that culture cannot be simply broken down into
around the world and within societies. There is wide
a set of characteristics
cultural variation across human populations.
-means that an understanding of a part can only be
CULTURAL DIVERSITY- refers to the differentiation
achieved in relation to other parts of the system
of culture all over the world
-no culture can exist without social interaction in society
CULTURAL RELATIVISM- culture can only be
meanwhile, society cannot exist in the absence of people
understood based on its own standards and values, and
who have learned to live and work together
should not be judged against the standards of other
CULTURE SOCIETY cultures.
- refers to the beliefs, -refers to the network of
-attempt to judge behavior according to its cultural
customs, arts, institutions, social relationships and
and other products of institutions that connect context
human work and thought people and organize social Ferraro and Andretta as mentioned by Custodio
that characterize a life. advocate that cultural relativism is more culturally
community or society. -families, communities,
relative approach in understanding human group. They
-language, rituals, cuisine, businesses, government,
music, literature, social media education, etc said that one can build emotional resilience by
norms, etc. -society and social understanding one’s culture by not necessarily mean to
-cultural values and norms interactions reproduce and offend them but be guided by their own cultural norms.
shape social institutions transform culture over time
ADVANTAGES OF CULTURAL RELATIVISM
and behavioral patterns - provide stability,
-provides shared meanings organization, and 1. IT PROMOTES COOPERATION
identities and purposes that continuity to patterns of 2. RESPECT AND EQUALITY IS
allow people to coordinate human life. ENCOURAGE
action and make sense of 3. IT PRESERVE HUMAN CULTURES
the world.
4. CULTURAL RELATIVISM CREATE
SOCIETY WITHOUT JUDGEMENT

1. CULTURE IS SOCIAL BECAUSE IT’S THE ETHNOCENTRISM- view one's own culture as
PRODUCT OF BEHAVIOR inherently superior to other cultures.
2. CULTURE VARIES FROM SOCIETY TO
SOCIETY - leads to cultural misunderstandings since other cultures
3. CULTURE IS SHARED are judged according to the standards of one's own culture
4. CULTURE IS LEARNED rather than their own.
5. CULTURE IS TRANSMITTED AMONG
-Ethnocentrism can be so strong but when confronted
MEMBERS OF SOCIETY
with all of the differences of a new culture, one may
6. CULTURE IS CONTINUOUS AND
experience culture shock.
CUMULATIVE
7. CULTURE IS GRATIFYING AND IDEALISTIC XENOCENTRISM- beliefs that one’s culture is
inferior compared to others.
-people are highly influenced by the culture or many
culture outside the realm of their society
 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

CULTURE SHOCK- the feeling of being disoriented, • SPECIALIZATION- professionals

uncertain, out of place, or even fearful when immersed in organize themselves into societies or
an unfamiliar culture. associations to promote and protect their
own professions
CULTURE VARIATION- refers to the rich diversity
in social patterns tat different human group exhibit around
the world.
- the variation in human conditions promotes diversity in
cultural traditions.
Note: We must remember that cultural variation or 1. It is a social system.
diversity do not only occur between people’s cultures 2. It is relatively large.
coming from different countries, but also between people 3. It socializes its members and those from
with different practices within the same country. without
4. It endures, produces and sustains its
CULTURAL UNIVERSAL- patterns or traits that are members for generation.
globally common to all societies. 5. It holds its members through a common
culture.
6. It has clearly-defined geographical
territory.

SOCIETY- a group of people with common territory,

interaction, and culture
1. It provides a system of socialization
- defined society as group of people who share a common
2. provides the basic needs of its members
territory and culture
3. It regulates and controls people’s behavior.
-it is a group of people living together in a definite
territory, having a sense of belongingness, mutually 4. It provides the means of social
interdependent of each other, and follow a certain way of
life. participation

-derived from the Latin term “societas”, from socius, which5. It provides mutual support to the member
means companion or associate.
TWO TYPES OF DEFINITION OF SOCIETY
1. THE FUNCTIONAL DEFINITION- society is
SOCIETIES- organized in particular patterns, patterns
defined as a complex of groups in reciprocal
that are shaped by arrange of factors.
relationships, interacting upon one another, enabling
human organisms to carry on their life-activities. -Sociologists and anthropologists (experts who study
2. THE STRUCTURAL DEFINITION- society is early and tribal cultures) identified different types and
the total social heritage of folkways, mores, and classification of societies
institutions; of habits, sentiments and ideals
A. ACCORDING TO ECONOMIC AND MATERIA
a
THE FOLLOWING ARE REASONS WHY SYSTEM
PEOPLE LIVE TOGETHER AS A SOCIETY: 1. PRE-CLASS SOCIETIES- characterized by
• FOR SURVIVAL- no man is an island communal ownership of property and division of labor.
• FEELING OF GREGARIOUSNESS- the
desire of people to be with other people
 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

2. ASIATIC SOCIETIES- people are economically self (a) people elect their representatives to protect
sufficient but their leaders are despotic and powerful.
their individual initiatives;
3. ANCIENT SOCIETY- characterized by private land
(b) freedom of belief, religion, production of
ownership.
industrial goods exist;
4. FEUDAL SOCIETIES- The aristocrats (feudal lords)
owned the wealth of the country due to their ownership (c) disputes and grievances are settled through peaceful
of big tracts of lands. The peasants worked on the lands arbitration; and
of the feudal lords with only few benefits received by
them. (d) business organization appear where cooperative
efforts between management and labor are based on
5. CAPITALISTS SOCIETIES – existed in societies contractual agreement.
where two classes of people appeared.
6. POST- INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES- These are
- The bourgeoise (property owners) who owned the characterized by:
capital and the means of production and the ploretariat
(the laborers or workers) who are compelled to work for (a) spread of computer machines and the existence of
the capitalists or sell their small properties to the information and communication;
capitalists (b) inventions and discoveries in medicines, agriculture,
6. DEMOCRATIC SOCIETIES- characterized by free business whether in physical and natural sciences
enterprise where people are free to engage in any lawful emerged; and
business for profit or gain (c) pollution, diseases, calamities are prevalent as a result
B. ACCORDING TO EVOLUTIONARY VIEW of the use of advanced technology

1. SIMPLE SOCIETIES- predominantly small, C. ACCORDING TO PEOPLE’S SUBSTINENCE-

nomadic and leadership is unstable. 1. FOOD GATHERING SOCIETIES- people survived
2. COMPOUND SOCIETIES- Two or more simple from day to day through hunting larger animals,
societies merged to form a new and bigger society. collecting shellfish and vegetable gathering.

3. DOUBLY COMPOUND SOCIETIES- completely 2. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES- people planted

integrated, more definite in political and religious seeds as a means of production for substinence.
structure and more complex division of labor. 3. PASTORAL SOCIETIES- Most of the people are
4. MILITANT SOCIETIES- These are characterized by nomadic who follow their herds in quest of animals for
the following: food and clothing to satisfy their needs

(a) the existence of military organization and military 4. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES- In the early
rank; agricultural societies, people used plow than hoe in food
production.
(b) individual lives and private possessions are at the
5. INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES- characterized by the use
disposal of the State; and of machines as means of food production.
(c) individual activities such as recreation, movements, 6. POST- INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES OR
satisfaction of biological needs, and production of goods INFORMATION SOCIETIES- characterized by the
are totally regulated by the State. spread of computer technology, advances in this
technology are made by highly-trained computer
5. INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES- These socities are
specialists who work to increase the capabilities of
characterized by the following: computers and the internet.
 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

DISSOLUTION OF A SOCIETY
1. when the people kill each other through civil
revolution;
HOMO SAPIENS( THE THINKING MAN)-
2. when an outside force exterminates the members of
had similar physical descriptions with modern
the society;
man.
3. when the members become apathetic among
themselves or have no more sense of belongingness; -largely dependent on hunting, fishing, and
4. when a small society is absorbed by a stronger and agriculture
larger society by means of conquest or territorial
absorption;
5. when an existing society is submerged in water
killing all the people and other living things in it; or
(60 when the people living in such a society
voluntarily attach themselves to another existing
society.

HOMONIDS ( MAN LIKE PRIMATES)

HOMO HABILIS( HANDY MAN) – apelike men who
first used stone tools as weapons and protection of their
enemies
-recognized as the FIRST TRUE HUMAN

HOMO ERECTUS (THE UPRIGHT MAN)- manlike

specie could walk straight with almost the same brain with
modern man. Made refined stone tools for hunting and
weapons for protection of their enemies.
UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS
 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

COMPONENTS OF CULTURE
MAJOR ELEMENTS:
1. MATERIAL CULTURE- physical objects a society
produces
1.a TECHNOLOGY- combination of objects and rules

2. NON- MATERIAL CULTURE- consists of elements

shared by the members of a society. Considered carriers
of culture
 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

Cultural expectations for gender roles and

gendered behavior are conveyed to children
through color-coded clothes and sorts of game.
SOCIALIZATION- a form of interaction by which
people acquire personality and learn the way of life of RACE- plays a vital role in socialization
their society. THE CONTENT AND PROCESS- comprise
-is a process that introduces people to social norms and the work of this undertaking.
customs. SCHOOL- plays an important role in
Socialization concerns both social structure and socialization of students of all ages.
interpersonal relations. It contains three key parts: RESULTS- are the outcome of socialization and
context, content and process, and results refer to the way a person conceives and conducts
SOCIAL STRUCTURE after undergoing this process

-the organized set of social institutions and patterns of

institutionalized relationships that together compose
society.
-It is both a product of social interaction and directly
determines it. SOCIETY- characterized as an organized
interrelated group of people who act together for
-are not immediately visible to the untrained observer,
collective living, as they share the same language.
however, they are always present and affect all
Territory, and culture.
dimensions of human experience in society.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
- describes a social association, connection, or
affiliation between two or more persons.
- It overlaps significantly with the concept of social
relations, which are the fundamental unit of analysis
within the social sciences. 1. STRUCTURAL- FUNCTIONAL THEORY- aka
Functionalism
-may be regulated by law, custom, or mutual agreement, - sees society as a structure with interrelated parts
and form the basis of social groups and societies. designed to meet the biological and social needs of the
individuals in that society.
-They appear when people communicate or act with each
- Functionalism grew out of the writings of English
other within specific social contexts, and they thrive
philosopher and biologist, Hebert Spencer (1820–
onequitable and reciprocal compromises.
1903), who saw similarities between society and the
Context refers to the culture, language, social structures human body.
and one’s position within that particular society. It also - Émile Durkheim, another early sociologist, applied
includes history and the roles people and institutions Spencer’s theory to explain how societies change and
around them performed in the past. survive over time.
He believed that society is a complex system of
Gender stereotypes also bear strong influence on interrelated and interdependent parts that work
socialization processes. together to maintain stability (Durkheim 1893), and
that society is held together by shared values,
languages, and symbols.
 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

-Another noted structural functionalist, Robert Merton

(1910–2003), pointed out that social processes often have
many functions.
-Another function of education is
creating a hierarchy of employment
based on the level of education attained.
Latent functions can be beneficial,
neutral, or harmful.
Social processes that have undesirable consequences for
the operation of society are called dysfunctions.

2. CONFLICT THEORY- looks at society as a

competition
-This perspective is a macro-level approach most
identified with the writings of German philosopher and
sociologist Karl Marx (1818–1883), who saw society as
being made up of two classes, the bourgeoisie (capitalist)
and the proletariat (workers), who must compete for
social, material, and political resources such as food and
housing, employment, education, and leisure time.
-Ida B. Wells articulated the conflict perspective when
she theorized a connection between an increase in
lynching
- Charles Horton Cooley introduced the looking-glass self
(1902) to describe how a person’s self of self grows out
of interactions with others, and he proposed a threefold
process for this development:
1) we see how others react to us,
2) we interpret that reaction (typically as positive or
negative) and
3) we develop a sense of self based on those
interpretations. “Looking-glass” is an archaic term for
a mirror, so Cooley theorized that we “see” ourselves
when we interact with others.
- George Herbert Mead (1863–1931) -is considered a
founder of symbolic interactionism, though he never
published his work on this subject (LaRossa and Reitzes
1993).
-The focus on the importance of interaction in building a
society led sociologists like Erving Goffman (1922–
1982) to develop a technique called dramaturgical
analysis.