SOCIAL, CULTURAL,

UC
AND POLITICAL SP
PHENOMENA

DJHOANA I. DE LUNA
Cavite National Science High School 11
 TO THE LEARNERS

Here are some reminders as you use this module:

 Use the module with care especially in turning each page.
 Be reminded to answer the Pre-Test before moving on to the
Learning Module.
 Read and comprehend the directions in every exercises.
 Observe honesty in answering the tests and exercises.
 Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of this
material.
 Try to finish a given activity before proceeding to the next.
 11
Understanding
Culture, Society
and Politics
SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND POLITICAL PHENOMENA

DJHOANA ICARO DE LUNA

Copyright 2019

1
 WHAT IS THIS MODULE ALL ABOUT?

This module serves as a learning resource material in understanding the

target competency expected in the curriculum.

TOPIC
Social, Cultural and Political Phenomena

CONTENT STANDARD
Human cultural variation, social differences, social change,
and political identities

LEARNING COMPETENCY

UCSP11/12SPUIa-2

demonstrate curiosity and an openness to explore the origins and dynamics

of culture and society, and political identities

The presented activities or exercises and texts are developed

in order to meet the following objectives:

1. define social, political, and cultural behavior and phenomena

2. survey the behavior and phenomena in society which are socially,

politically, and culturally significant, and

3. demonstrate curiosity and open-mindedness to explore the origins and

dynamics of society, culture, and politics.

2
 PRE-TEST

Read the following items carefully. Write the

letter of your answer.

1. In the society, there are certain dietary rules that may affect particular
aspects of the human life. Which terms refer to prohibitions which
may be associated with special events such as childbirth, pregnancy,
menstrual period or breast feeding?

A. Food Evaluation
B. Food Limit
C. Food Prohibitions
D. Food Taboos

2. Which of the following phenomena has socio-economic undertones?

A. election
B. food taboos
C. istambay
D. political dynasty

3. Which is an example of cultural behaviour and phenomenon?

A. Fan Base
B. Food Taboo
C. Political Dynasty
D. Transnational Family

4.  Which behavior of a person or a group may be influenced by their views,

ideologies, and levels of participation?

A. cultural
B. economical
C. political
D. social

5. Which of the following behaviours has a bandwagon effect?

3
 A. cultural
B. economical
C. political
D. social

6. Which phenomenon refers to the individual, external, and social

constructions that influences a person’s life and development?

A. Cultural
B. Economical
C. Political
D. Social

7. Which of the following is an example of social phenomenon?

A. Marriage
B. Fan Base
C. Political Dynasty
D. Social Media Buzz

8. Political dynasties which refer to families whose members are engaged

in politics have been in the Philippine political structure since time
past. In what socio-economic status do they usually belong?

A. low-middle class
B. high-middle class
C. medium-middle class
D. upper-middle class

9. How will you describe istambay?

A. desperate
B. free
C. selective
D. unprofitable

10. Which of the following phenomena has greater economic impact in the

4
society?

A. election
B. food taboos
C. istambay
D. political dynasty

5
 LET’S SEE WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW

Matching Type. Match Column A with Column B. Write your answer on the
space provided before each number.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
N4___ A prohibition against consuming P1 Cultural
1. certain foods. phenomenon
____2 Families whose several members H2 Political
. are involved in public governance. phenomenon
____3 One of its example is the act of E3 Social
. voting. phenomenon
____4 One of its example is “istambay” N4 Food Taboos
.
____5 It is emphasized when certain O5 Political Dynasty
. individuals behave a certain way
merely because other individuals
do so as well.
____6 It is the legal and formal union of M6 Marriage
. man and a woman as partners in a
relationship.
____7 E7 Istambay
.
A food taboo is a
prohibi on against
consuming certain
foods. Some religions
assert that there
arecertain
foods which to them
are prohibited while
other religions may
consider them #t for

6
 human consump on.
In the society, there
are certain dietary
rules that
A food taboo is a
prohibi on against
consuming certain
foods. Some religions
assert that there
arecertain
foods which to them
are prohibited while
other religions may
consider them #t for
human consump on.
In the society, there
are certain dietary
rules that
A person who does not have work
and who usually hangs-out on
street corners.
____8  These will happen when N8 Political behavior
. something or someone gains
widespread popularity.
____9 These are not only limited to public O9 Social behavior
. offices as these also include how
institutions like schools, churches,
or companies are ran and
governed.
___10 These are the individual, external, N10 Cultural behavior
. and social constructs that influence

7
 a person’s life and development.

LET’S LEARN

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL PHENOMENA

A. FOOD TABOOS
Culturally, food taboos are known from virtually all human societies.
A food taboo is a prohibition against consuming certain foods. Some
religions assert that there are certain foods which to them are prohibited
while other religions may consider them fit for human consumption. In the
society, there are certain dietary rules that may affect particular aspects of
the human life. These food taboos or prohibitions may be associated with
special events such as childbirth, pregnancy, menstrual period or breast
feeding.

In some cases, dietary rules are thought to be a result of health

considerations or other practical reasons. Some foods may be prohibited
during certain religious periods like during the holy Week, at certain stages
of life such as when one is pregnant, or to certain classes of people even
though the food is otherwise permitted.

B. THE ISTAMBAY PHENOMENON

A very interesting social issue with economic implications is the
istambay phenomenon. Etymologically, the Filipino term “istambay” is
derived from the English idiom “on standby”. Istambay is a localized version
of standby, which over the years has developed a set of peculiar
characteristics that signify a particular subsector in Philippine society. One
definition of istambay is “ a person who does not have work and who
usually hangs-out on street corners”. Another definition of istambay comes
from a Pilipino-English dictionary which offers a more lucid characterization
of the negative stereotypes attached to being an istambay. The dictionary
defines istambay as an act of spending one’s time unprofitably.

8
C. POLITICAL DYNASTY
Another interesting issue in the country is about political dynasty a
phenomenon with socio-economic undertones. Political dynasties which
refer to families whose members are engaged in politics have been in the
Philippine political structure since time past. Most political dynasties are
found in an affluent families that have been entrenched themselves in local
politics before going to the national level. Political dynasties, therefore,
usually have a strong local support base. In fact, dynasties are also active
in socio-economic ventures and not just limited to politics.

Social phenomena are the individual, external, and social constructions

that influence a person’s life and development.

The table below shows some examples of social behavior and phenomena.

Social Behavior and Phenomena Definition

Food Taboo It is the act of prohibiting the
consumption of certain food and
drinks. Some food may be prohibited
during certain religious beliefs and
periods (Lent, Ramadan), at certain
stages of life (pregnancy, sickness) or
to certain classes of people (priests,
infants).
Istambay A Filipino term for “standby’. This
refers to a person who has nothing to
do, or who is jobless or lazy or
someone who does not make use of
his time in productive and sensible
activities
Marriage It is the legal and formal union of a
man and a woman as partners in a
relationship.

Political Behavior and Phenomena

In sociology, political behavior and phenomena include events through
which authority, governance, and public opinion are put into practice.

A political behavior of a person or a group may be influenced by their

political views, ideologies, and levels of political participation. An example of
an act of political behavior is the act of voting.

Political phenomena are not only limited to public offices as these also

include how institutions like schools, churches, or companies.

9
The table below shows some examples of political behavior and phenomena.

Political Behavior and Definition

Phenomena
Elections It is the formal and organized process of
electing or being elected especially of members
of a political body or legislative body
Political Dynasty It is a term used in politics to refer to a family
in which several members are involved in
public governance
Political Candidate It is when a political candidate seeks the help
Endorsement by a of a well-known or influential personality in a
Celebrity campaign

Cultural Behavior and Phenomena

Also known as the bandwagon effect, a cultural behavior is an event where
certain individuals behave a certain way merely because other persons do as
well.

A cultural phenomenon happens when something or someone gains

widespread popularity. However, it is noteworthy that it is not the subject
that is the cultural phenomenon but rather the process of becoming famous.

The table below shows some examples of cultural behavior and phenomena.

Cultural Behavior Definition

and Phenomena
Popularity (Fan Base) Popularity is the state of being liked, admired, or
supported by many people. formation of fan bases
is a clear manifestation of popularity. For instance,
singers, actors and actresses, athletes, and musical
bands have their group of fans.
Social Media Buzz Facebook, Twitter. and Instagram are social
networking sites where many people are members
and interact with other members through
information, picture, music, and video sharing.

1
0
 LET’S TRY THIS AND SELF-CHECK

SURVEY ALERT. Fill-in the table with the needed information.

Social, Cultural, and Can you see these Impact in

Political Phenomena changes from your Society/Family
society?
(/) (x)
1. Fan Base /

2. Social Media Buzz / Better means of

communication
particularly for
transnational family
3. “ Istambay” / Employment rate
increases
4. Sacred Marriage / Increasing cases of pre-
marital sex/ adultery
5. Food Taboo X Spread of culture
relativism/ethnocentrism
6. Political Dynasty / Limited choices of
politicians
7. Reliable Election / Newly elected leaders
are being respected in
society
8. Selling “Botcha”
9. Political Candidate / Increasing cost of
Endorsement by a election, possible
Celebrity corruption issues in the
future
Total

1
1
 LET’S STUDY AND ANALYZE THESE

Answer the following questions:

1. How will you define social, political, and cultural behavior and
phenomena?

2. What are some examples of behavior and phenomena in your

society which are socially, politically, and culturally significant?

3. How are culture, and politics interrelated and significant in

society?

1
2
 LET’S LEARN

Complete the unfinished sentences to summarize the lesson.

1. This lesson was about

2. One key idea was

3. This topic is important because

4. This lesson matters to me because

5. In this lesson, I remembered that

1
3
 LET’S SEE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Designing your Social, Cultural and Political Self. You are a typical
teenager. Discover and design yourself.

My personal background
1. How do you describe
yourself?
2. What is so attractive about
your looks?
3. Will you finish college? If yes
in what university?
4. What would be the course
you are going to take in
college?
My social environment
5. How many friends do you
have?
6. Are they good or bad
influence to you?
7. What kind of neighbourhood
do you envision?
8. Do you have friends in your
community?
My success in life
9. Are you a smart leader or a
humble follower?
10. What will be your future
job, business or greatest
achievement?

1
4
 POST TEST

Read the following items carefully. Write the

letter of your answer.

1. In the society, there are certain dietary rules that may affect particular
aspect of the human life. Which terms refer to prohibitions which
may be associated with special events such as childbirth, pregnancy,
menstrual period or breast feeding?

A. Food Evaluation
B. Food Limit
C. Food Prohibitions
D. Food Taboos

2. Which of the following phenomena has socio-economic undertones?

A. election
B. food taboos
C. istambay
D. political dynasty

3. Which is an example of cultural behaviour and phenomenon?

A. Fan Base
B. Food Taboo
C. Political Dynasty
D. Transnational Family

4. Which behavior of a person or a group may be influenced by their

views, ideologies, and levels of participation?

A. cultural
B. economical
C. political
D. social

1
5
5. Which of the following behaviours has a bandwagon effect?

A. cultural
B. economical
C. political
D. social

6. Which phenomenon refers to the individual, external, and social

constructions that influences a person’s life and development?

A. Cultural
B. Economical
C. Political
D. Social

7. Which of the following is an example of social phenomenon?

A. Marriage
B. Fan Base
C. Political Dynasty
D. Social Media Buzz

8. Political dynasties which refer to families whose members are

engaged in politics have been in the Philippine political structure
since time past. In what socio-economic status do they usually
belong?

A. Low class
B. High-middle class
C. Medium-middle class
D. Upper class

9. How will you describe istambay?

A. desperate
B. free
C. selective
D. unprofitable

1
6
10. Which of the following phenomena has greater economic impact in the
society?

A. election
B. food taboos
C. istambay
D. political dynasty

1
7
 LET’S REMEMBER

Social phenomena are the individual, external, and social constructions

that influence a person’s life and development.

Cultural phenomenon happens when something or someone gains

widespread popularity. However, it is noteworthy that it is not the subject
that is the cultural phenomenon but rather the process of becoming famous

Political phenomena are not only limited to public offices as these also

include how institutions like schools, churches, or companies are ran and
governed.

Food Taboos is a prohibition against consuming certain foods. These food

taboos or prohibitions may be associated with special events such as
childbirth, pregnancy, menstrual period or breast feeding.

The Istambay Phenomenon is an interesting social issue with economic

implications. istambay is “ a person who does not have work and who
usually hangs-out on street corners”.

Political dynasty refers to families whose members are engaged in politics.

1
8
 REFERENCES

Nuncio, Rhoderick, et. al (2016), Praxis: Understanding Society, Culture

and Politics, pp. 1-7

Balena, Ederlina, et. al (2016), Understanding Culture, Society and Politics,

pp. 5-7

Bernardo, Jr. Juanito Philip V. (2016), Understanding Culture, Society and

Politics, pp. 93-107

https://www.studocu.com/en/document/our-lady-of-fatima-university

1
9
 This module maybe adopted, modified and
reproduced for educational purposes with appropriate
credit to the author.
For inquiries, feedback and suggestions, please
contact the author through the Division Learning
resource Supervisor at Tel. No. _________________ and/or
email address ________________ @deped.gov.ph

2
0