Anthropological Perspective of The Self

ANTHROPOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELF

OBJECTIVES:
Increase awareness of the various dimensions of anthropology

1
and its influence on self-concept;
2 Understand that each culture develop a unique cultural lens;
3 Examine their own cultural identity from a global perspective ;

and
4
Demonstrate critical and reflective thought in analyzing how
culture influences our beliefs and behavior through an assigned
activity.
Learning Content
I n a n t h ro p o l o g y, t h e s e l f c a m e t o b e u n d e r s t o o d a s
a p ro c e s s t h a t o rc h e s t r a t e s a n i n d i v i d u a l ’s p e r s o n a l
experience following when he/she becomes self-
a w a re a n d s e l f - re f l e c t i v e a b o u t h i s / h e r p l a c e i n
s o c i e t y.
I n t o d a y ’s l e s s o n , w e w i l l s e e k t o e x p l o re t h e ro l e
s e l f h o o d p l a y s i n d e f i n i n g h u m a n s o c i e t y, a n d e a c h
h u m a n i n d i v i d u a l i n t h a t s o c i e t y. I t c o n s i d e r s t h e
g e n e t i c a n d c u l t u r a l o r i g i n s o f s e l f , t h e ro l e t h a t
self plays in socialization and language, and the
types of self we generate in our individual journeys
t o a n d t h ro u g h a d u l t h o o d .
ANTHROPOLOGY
The study of human societies and

cultures and their development. It
is concerned with how cultural and
biological processes interact to
shape human experience.
Self as Embedded in Culture
Self-concept refers to all understanding and knowledge of
oneself. The components of self-concept include psychological,
physical and social attitudes, ideas and beliefs that one has. The
most influence in terms of self-concept is family history,
basically referring to the culture one has been brought up in, and
the experiences he or she has undergone.
Various studies have been carried out
concerning the impact culture may have We can therefore say that
towards self-concept. One study was culture has such a greater
conducted by Erdman in 2006 using influence on an individual’s
American and Chinese students, life, contributing largely to
requesting them to recall memories and his/her self-concept. The
events of their early years of childhood. In influence might either be
his study, Erdman found out that early negative or positive
childhood memories were a big part of depending on the type of
self-concept. The findings demonstrated culture that one has been
that different cultural memories are brought up in. It is important
brought about by early childhood years that individuals study and
and persist into adulthood. The differences appreciate their culture and
are formed both in the extended cultural its contribution in shaping
contexts which define the meaning of the their individual personalities.
self and the immediate family
CULTURE
is the set of unwritten norms of

conduct that guide the behavior
of a group
According to Edward Taylor, culture is

a complex whole which includes
knowledge , belief, art, morals, law,
customs, and any other capabilities and
habits acquired by man.
MATERIAL
AND NON- Sociologists
2 describe two
interrelated aspects of
MATERIAL 3human culture-the
physical objects of culture
CULTURE and
4 the ideas associated
with these objects.
M AT E R I A L C U LT U R E
refers to the physical objects, resources,

and spaces that people use to define their For example, technology is a
culture. These include homes, vital aspect of material
neighborhoods, cities, schools, churches, culture in today’s Filipino
synagogues, temples, mosques, offices, society. Students in highly
factories and plants, tools, means of urbanized cities must learn
production, goods and products, stores, to use computers to survive
and so forth. All of these physical in school, in contrast to
aspects of a certain culture help to define young people in ethnic
its members’ behaviors and perceptions.
societies who must learn to
build weapons and hunt for
a living.
N O N - M AT E R I A L C U LT U R E
Refers to the nonphysical ideas, that people have about their culture,
including beliefs, values, rules, norms, morals, language, organizations,
and institutions. For instance, the non-material concept of religion
consists of a set of ideas, and beliefs about God, worship, morals, and
ethics. These beliefs, then, determine how the culture responds to its
religious topics, issues, and events.
When considering non-material culture, sociologists refer to several

processes that a culture uses to shape its members’ thoughts, feelings
and behaviors. Four of the most important of these are symbols,
language, values, and norms.
Two
Anthropological
Perspectives of
the Self
1.Egocentric 2. Socio-centric
a concept of the self where the
2
according to this view, there is no
self is seen as an autonomous and intrinsic
3 self that can possess
distinct individual. enduring qualities.
4
THREE-PHASED RITE OF PASSAGE BY ARNOLD VAN GENNEP
1 Separation Phase-in this phase, people detach from their former

identity to another
2
Liminality Phase-in this phase, a person transitions from one identity to
another
3
Incorporation Phase-in this phase, the change in one’s status, is
officially incorporated.
Identity Struggles
Anthony Wallace and Raymond Fogelson coined this term to characterize interaction in which there is
discrepancy between the identity a person claims to possess and the identity attributed to that person by
the other.
Self-identification
In order to attain this, individuals have to overcome many obstacles.
Illusion of Wholeness
Katherine Ewing formulated this concept which implies that the cohesiveness and continuity of self
are only illusory.
Cultural Differences
Exist when groups of people assign different meanings to different life events and things.
KEY Social Identities
TERMS People construct their self-identity from the

2
similarities and differences in characteristics
among individuals.
3 Example:
You have categorized yourself as a student,
the chances are you will adopt the identity
4
of a student and begin to act in the ways you
believe students act ( and conform to the
norms of the group).
KEY Family Membership
TERMS The most significant feature to determine a

2 person’s social identity.
3 Example:
A person’s social identity can be determined
based on the influence of his/her family
4
background (history, status, traits, or even
resources)
KEY Language
TERMS Viewed as essential for the maintenance of

2
group identity in a given society.
3 Example:
As people become members of a social
group and learn to share that group’s
4
identity, they need to adapt to the group’s
language)
KEY Religious Affiliation
TERMS An important marker for group identity in a

2
given society.
Example:
3
In a predominantly Catholic country like the
Philippines, the majority of Filipinos qualify
themselves as members of the Roman
4
Catholic Church.
KEY Name
TERMS An important device to individualize a

2
person and legitimize him or her as a
member of a social group.
3
Example:
When you were born , you were given a
4
name documented through a birth certificate
to legalize your birth.
“ The purpose of anthropology is to make
the world safe for human differences”
-Ruth Benedict
“ Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that
ever has.”
- Margaret Mead
“ Always remember that you are
absolutely unique. Just like everyone’s
else.”
- Margaret Mead
Thank You for listening.

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ANTHROPOLOGICAL

PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELF

Increase awareness of the various dimensions of anthropology

2 Understand that each culture develop a unique cultural lens;

3 Examine their own cultural identity from a global perspective ;

The study of human societies and

is the set of unwritten norms of

According to Edward Taylor, culture is

refers to the physical objects, resources,

When considering non-material culture, sociologists refer to several

1 Separation Phase-in this phase, people detach from their former

TERMS People construct their self-identity from the

TERMS The most significant feature to determine a

TERMS Viewed as essential for the maintenance of

TERMS An important marker for group identity in a

TERMS An important device to individualize a

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