The Social Sciences and the

Three Faces of the Social: The

Perspectives of Anthropology
and Sociology
Presented by Inaki Sison
Introduction

Society, in its expansive scope, encompasses social actions and

interactions, cultural practices and traditions, and political power relations.
These dimensions collectively form the fabric of what we refer to as
"social sciences" or "disciplines" in academia.

Think of these social sciences as lenses through which we examine and

understand society. Just as a lens alters the way one perceives color, focus,
and details, each discipline offers a unique perspective on the intricacies of
human interaction and societal structures.
 Sociology:
• Focus: The study of society and human social

01.
behavior.
• Key Areas: Examines social institutions, interactions,
and the ways in which individuals and groups shape,
and are shaped by, their social environments.

Anthropology:
• Focus: The study of human societies and cultures.

The Social
• Key Areas: Encompasses cultural anthropology,

02.
which studies customs, beliefs, and practices;
archaeology, which investigates past human cultures
through artifacts; linguistic anthropology, examining

Sciences
language and its role in culture; and biological
anthropology, focusing on human evolution and
biological variations.

Political Science:
• Focus: The study of government systems, political
processes, and political behavior.

03. • Key Areas: Investigates the structure and functioning

of governments, international relations, political
ideologies, public policies, and the behavior of
individuals and groups within political contexts.
Culture and Society
Overview
Culture refers to the shared beliefs, customs, values, and
practices of a group, influencing how individuals within that
group interact and understand the world.
Society is a group of individuals living together in a specific
area, connected by social relationships and organized structures.
The two are interconnected as culture shapes societal norms, and
society, in turn, influences and reinforces cultural expressions.
Together, they form the foundation of the human experience,
shaping behavior, perceptions, and the way individuals relate to
one another.
Sociological Perspective
on Society
Social Institutions:
Definition: Social institutions are organized systems and structures within society that
fulfill essential functions and roles. Examples include family, education, government,
economy, and religion.
Significance: Sociologists study how these institutions shape individuals' behavior, roles,
and interactions, influencing the overall stability and functioning of society.

Social Structures:
Definition: Social structures refer to the patterns of relationships, roles, and interactions
that form the framework of society. These structures include hierarchies, statuses, and
roles that guide behavior.
Significance: Sociologists analyze how social structures create and maintain order, as
well as how they may contribute to inequality or social change. Examining roles and
hierarchies provides insights into power dynamics and social organization.

Social Norms and Values:

Definition: Social norms are shared expectations and rules that guide behavior within a
society, while values represent the collective beliefs about what is desirable or
undesirable.
Significance: Sociologists investigate how norms and values contribute to social
cohesion, regulate behavior, and perpetuate cultural patterns. Deviations from these
norms can lead to social reactions, ranging from approval to sanctions.
Anthropological
Perspective on Culture
Anthropological Lens on Culture
Cultural Relativism:
• Definition: Anthropology embraces cultural relativism, the principle that cultural
beliefs, values, and practices must be understood within their specific cultural
context.
• Significance: Recognizing diverse cultural norms fosters a non-judgmental
understanding, appreciating the richness and uniqueness of each cultural expression. Anthropologists employ cultural relativism to
Participant Observation: appreciate diverse worldviews, utilize participant
• Methodology: Anthropologists engage in participant observation, immersing observation for immersive understanding, and
themselves in the daily lives of the community they study.
conduct ethnography to document the intricate
• Insightful Approach: By actively participating in the culture, anthropologists gain
firsthand experiences, building trust and obtaining nuanced insights into the layers of culture. This multifaceted approach allows
intricacies of social practices. for a comprehensive exploration of the complexities
Ethnography: inherent in cultural systems.
• Definition: Ethnography is the systematic study and documentation of cultures
through detailed fieldwork, involving observations, interviews, and analysis of
cultural artifacts.
• Holistic Understanding: Ethnographic methods provide a holistic understanding of
a culture, capturing not only observable behaviors but also the meanings, symbols,
and social dynamics embedded within it.
 Interpretive Dynamics of Society
Anthropology: Contribution to Meaning-Making:
• Cultural Interpretation: Anthropology focuses on understanding diverse cultures and • Complementary Perspectives: Both Anthropology and Sociology contribute unique
societies through participant observation and immersion in their contexts. perspectives on meaning-making. Anthropology offers in-depth cultural insights through
• Ethnographic Methods: Anthropologists engage in fieldwork to grasp the meaning- immersive methods, while Sociology provides broader societal frameworks and systemic
making processes within a community, exploring rituals, symbols, and social practices. analyses.
• Cultural Relativism: Anthropology emphasizes cultural relativism, acknowledging that • Understanding Diversity: Anthropology's emphasis on cultural diversity enriches the
meanings are context-dependent, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse worldviews. understanding of various meaning-making processes, highlighting the uniqueness of each
Sociology: society.
• Social Construction of Reality: Sociology examines how society collectively constructs • Contextualization and Generalization: Sociology, with its focus on social structures,
and assigns meanings to symbols, roles, and institutions. helps contextualize meanings within broader frameworks, facilitating generalizations and
• Symbolic Interactionism: Sociological theories like symbolic interactionism highlight comparisons across societies.
the importance of symbols and language in shaping individual and group identities. • Holistic Approach: Together, these disciplines offer a holistic approach to interpretive
• Institutional Analysis: Sociologists explore how institutions contribute to the dynamics, considering both micro-level interactions (Sociology) and the rich cultural
construction of societal meanings, studying how norms, values, and roles shape social tapestry (Anthropology) that influences societal meaning-making.
reality.
 Aspects of Culture
Language: Diversity and Richness:
⚬ Definition: Language is a fundamental aspect of culture, encompassing verbal and • Cultural Diversity:
non-verbal communication. ⚬ Global Variation: Cultures exhibit immense diversity influenced by geography,
⚬ Diversity: Cultures worldwide boast a vast array of languages, each with its own history, climate, and social interactions.
nuances, grammar, and expressions, contributing to the richness of human ⚬ Unique Expressions: Each culture contributes unique expressions, values, and ways
communication. of life, forming a mosaic of diversity across the globe.
Symbols: • Cultural Hybridity:
⚬ Definition: Symbols are cultural representations, including signs, gestures, and ⚬ Blending of Influences: Cultures often evolve through the blending of influences
images with shared meanings. from different regions, resulting in hybrid cultural expressions.
⚬ Richness: Cultures utilize symbols to convey complex concepts and values, creating ⚬ Cultural Fusion: Globalization facilitates cultural exchange, contributing to the
a symbolic language unique to each cultural group. dynamic fusion of traditions, beliefs, and practices.
Rituals: • Cultural Adaptation:
⚬ Definition: Rituals are symbolic actions or ceremonies with cultural and often ⚬ Flexibility: Cultures adapt to changing circumstances, absorbing new ideas and
religious significance. practices while preserving core values.
⚬ Cultural Identity: Rituals reinforce cultural identity, mark important life events, and ⚬ Resilience: The ability of cultures to withstand external influences while maintaining
connect individuals to their cultural heritage, showcasing the diversity of ceremonial distinctiveness reflects resilience and cultural strength.
practices.
Customs:
⚬ Definition: Customs are traditional practices and behaviors within a specific cultural
context.
⚬ Cultural Norms: Customs define social norms, etiquette, and behavioral
expectations, showcasing the diverse ways cultures navigate social interactions.
Material Culture:
⚬ Definition: Material culture includes physical artifacts and objects created and used
by a society.
⚬ Cultural Aesthetics: Artifacts, tools, architecture, and technology reflect cultural
 CULTURE, SOCIETY,
AND POLITICS AS
CONCEPTUAL TOOLS
discusses the conceptual nature of culture, society, and politics, emphasizing that these concepts
exist in the realm of ideas and thoughts. Concepts are tools that help us understand and describe
social phenomena, and they are created through processes like definition. As conceptual tools,
they allow us to explore, relate, and deconstruct ideas. The text notes that concepts, particularly
culture and society, serve as heuristic tools, simplifying complex phenomena to discover new
aspects. For example, anthropologists use the concept of culture to understand diverse ways of
living, while sociologists utilize the concept of society to explain complex social interactions.
 Society as a Concept
The term 'society' was created by social scientists to facilitate the exploration of
social phenomena, serving as a tool to understand its complexity beyond normative
use. As a conceptual ideal type, society depicts the form, process, and dynamics of
the social reality it represents. Although concepts can evolve or fade away, society's
durability is enhanced by its widespread usage in sociology and other social
sciences, as well as its application in diverse fields like agriculture, biology,
engineering, environmental science, and computer science. Its enduring presence
across various disciplines contributes to its resilience as a master concept. The
word's versatility underscores its significance in comprehending a wide range of
phenomena across both social and natural sciences.
 Culture as a Concept
The concept of 'culture' was coined by social scientists to facilitate the exploration
of the multifaceted aspects of human societies. It serves as a tool to grasp the
complexities and nuances embedded in shared beliefs, values, customs, and
practices. As an ideal type, culture encapsulates the diverse manifestations of
human expression and societal norms, providing a framework to understand the
intricate tapestry of human behavior. While concepts can evolve or diminish in
relevance, culture's enduring significance is bolstered by its widespread application
not only in sociology but also in fields such as anthropology, psychology, and
communication studies. Its adaptability and persistent usage across disciplines
contribute to its sustained relevance as a fundamental concept in understanding
human societies.
 Conflict theory and
Conflict
The Marxist-inspired perspective on society, in contrast to the emphasis on social
order, views society through the lens of conflict. Rather than a harmonious order, it
sees society as an arena where social actors are like gladiators fighting for their
survival, with the winner gaining rewards and freedom. Resources and their
scarcity become central in conflict situations. Unlike traditional views, the conflict
perspective sees conflict as positive and advantageous, driving change and
dynamism. Proponents argue that conflict leads to new relations and interactions,
fostering societal dynamism, and, in answering what makes society possible, they
emphasize social processes over functions and interdependence.
Political Science
and the Social
Definition: Interconnected with Society:
• Political Science is a social science discipline that systematically studies
government structures, political processes, and the distribution of power within
Political Science is intricately connected to the broader
societies.
social context, as it explores how political structures and
Key Focus Areas:
processes impact individuals, communities, and societies
Government Systems: Examines the structures and functions of various forms of at large.
government, including democracies, monarchies, and authoritarian regimes. In Summary:
Political Science, as a social science, focuses on
Political Processes: Investigates the mechanisms and activities through which
unraveling the complexities of government, politics, and
political decisions are made, policies are formulated, and political change occurs.
power dynamics, providing insights into how these
elements shape the social fabric and influence the course
Power Dynamics: Analyzes the distribution and exercise of power within political
systems, considering factors such as political institutions, ideologies, and societal of human societies.
influences.
 SUMMARY
Understanding culture is vital as it shapes human behaviors, values, and
interactions, offering insights into the diverse ways societies express meaning and
identity. Society, as a collective of individuals, relies on shared structures, norms,
and institutions, influencing social order and dynamics. Political dynamics govern
the distribution and exercise of power within societies, impacting governance,
policies, and societal progress. Sociology examines social structures and behaviors,
Anthropology delves into cultural particulars, and Political Science explores
government systems, together providing a holistic understanding of the
interconnected realms of culture, society, and politics. These disciplines
complement each other, offering multifaceted perspectives that enrich our
comprehension of the complex and dynamic social world.
Thank you
very much!