CHAPTER 3: LOOKING BACK AT HUMAN BIOCULTURAL AND SOCIAL EVOLUTION

A. HUMAN ORIGINS
Evolution – a natural process of biological changes occurring in a population across successive generations.

SPECIES CHARACTERISTICS
Homo habilis The name means “Handy Man”. The first to make stone tools and is recognized as first true human.
Homo rudolfensis Characterized by a longer face, larger molar and a larger braincase compared to habilis.
Homo erectus The name means “Upright Man”. The first hunters with improvised tools and first to produce fire.
Homo heidelbergenesis The first human to live in colder places and first to construct human shelters
Homo floresiensis Nicknamed “Hobbit” due to their small stature and lived in Indonesia.
Homo sapiens The name means “Wise Man”. The present human race belongs to this species.
Homo sapiens Known as “Neanderthal Man” and the closest relative of modern humans. The first to practice burial of their
neanderthalensis dead, hunting and gathering food, and sewing clothes from animal skin using bone needles.
Homo sapiens sapiens Known as Cro-Magnon, the first to produce art in cave paintings and crafting decorated tools and accessories.

B. SAMPLE DIFFERENTIATION OF THE CULTURAL EVOLUTION

PALEOLITHIC AGE NEOLITHIC AGE

CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN SOCIETY

Unpolished Polished stone
stone tools tools 1. It is a social system.
2. A society is relatively large.
Domestication 3. A society recruits most of its members from within.
Hunting and 4. A society sustains itself across generations.
of plants and
gathering 5. A society’s members share a culture.
animals
6. A society occupies a territory.
Living in
Nomadic way
permanent
of living
places

TYPES OF SOCIETIES

Type of Human Societies Characteristics

1. Hunting and Food
Gathering Services
2. Horticultural Societies
3. Pastoral societies
4. Agricultural societies
5. Industrial societies
6. Post – industrial societies
The earliest form of human society. They survived by foraging for vegetable foods and small game, fishing,
etc. They used tools made of stones, woods and bones.
People learned to use human muscle power and handheld tools to cultivate fields. Classified as subsistence
farming and surplus farming.
It relied on herding and the domestication of animals for food and clothing to satisfy the greater needs of
the group. Most pastoralists are nomads who followed their herds.
Characterized by the use of plow in farming. Creation of the irrigation system in farming.
It is characterized by more than just the use of mechanical means of production. Constitutes an entirely new
form of society that requires an immense, mobile diversity specialized labor force.
Depends on specialized knowledge to bring about continuing progress in technology. Characterized by the
spread of computer industries.

CHAPTER 4: BECOMING A MEMBER OF SOCIETY

SOCIALIZATION – a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills
appropriate to his and her social position. The process of socialization is very essential because it teaches us how to behave and act
within our society.

POINTS OF VIEW OF SOCIALIZATION

1. Objective Socialization – refers to the society acting upon the child.
2. Subjective Socialization – the process by which society transmits its culture from one generation to the next and adapts the individual
to the accepted and approved ways of organized social life.
FUNCTIONS OF SOCIALIZATION IMPORTANCE OF SOCIALIZATION

CULTURE

Socializa
tion is viral
to:

Sex Role
Differentation Personality

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION

1. Mass Media 3. Family 5. School

2. Church 4. Peer Group 6. Work Place

FOLKWAYS
Folkways – the customary patterns that specify what is socially correct and proper in everyday life.
Mores – they define what is morally right and morally wrong, folkways with ethical and moral significance which are strongly held and
emphasized.
Laws – these are norms that are enforced formally by a special political organization.

SOCIAL STATUS – refers to the position an individual occupies in society and implies an array of rights and duties.

Classification of Social Status

1. Ascribed Statuses – those which are assigned to the individual from birth, involves little personal choice, and carries with it
certain expectations of behavior.
2. Achieved Statuses – acquired by choice, merit, or individual effort, made possible through special abilities or talents,
performance or opportunities, and choice in occupation, marriage, joining a religion,
etc.
CONFORMITY AND DEVIANCE
Conformity – the desire to conform or agree with defined social norms.

Types of Conformity
1. Compliance (or group acceptance) 3. Identification
2. Internalization (genuine acceptance of group norms) 4. Ingratiation

Deviance – refers to any behavior that differs or diverges from established social norms.

Functions of Deviance
1. Deviance serves as an outlet for diverse forms of expressions.
2. Deviance serves to define the limits of acceptable behavior.
3. Deviance may also promote in-group solidarity.
4. Deviance can serve as a barometer of social strain.

SOCIAL CONTROL OF DEVIANCE

1. Informal Sanctions – these are unofficial, often casual pressure to conform. Positive informal sanctions involve reward for conformity
of compliance. Negative sanctions involve penalties for not conforming.
2. Formal Sanctions – these are official, institutionalized incentives to conform and penalties for deviance. The criminal justice system is
the most important and visible institution of social control.