Disciplines and Ideas

in Social Sciences
Quarter 1
Module 1
Nature and Functions of Social Science Disciplines

Learner’s Packet
1
Disciplines and Ideas in the
Social Sciences

Schools Division Office Management Team: Rosemarie C. Blando, August F. Jamora,

Merle B. Lopez, Elenita Filomena Zenaida R. Miranda

Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences

Quarter 1
Learner’s Material
First Edition, 2020

Published by: Department of Education SDO - Rizal

Schools Division Superintendent: Cherrylou D. Repia
Assistant Regional Director: Ruth L. Fuentes

2
 Week

What I Need to Know

Aristotle quoted, “man is a social animal”. Every one of us are born and raised in
1
a society. We interact with one another and build harmonious relationship to establish
a better life. We use reason to satisfy our curiosity and explain the numerous whys
and hows of the many things around us. There is a need for us to study society to
explain and to understand the phenomena that baffles the human mind.
Through this lesson, you will be able to understand the social sciences and how it
differs from the fields of natural sciences and the humanities.
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to meet the following objectives:

MELC1: Differentiate the nature and functions of social science disciplines with
the natural sciences and humanities
• Define Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Humanities
• Distinguish Social and Natural Sciences, and Humanities
• Compare and contrast the various Social Science disciplines

What to Know
Learning Task 1. What am I in the Society?
A. List down at least five professions or career opportunities you want to pursue in the
future.

Five professions I want to pursue

1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________

B. Scan some articles in the newspaper then identify at least 5 social issues that you
have read.

Five social issues I read from the newspaper

1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________________

Learning Task 2. Getting Ready

Answer the following questions:

• Have you listed down professions that belong to the academe? Do you think they
belong to the Social Sciences?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

3
 • From the social issues that you have identified from the newspaper, what
particular profession do you think can actually address them?

___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

• How important is it to solve the problems in the society?

___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

What is In
Learning Task 3. Here Comes the Sun
Look closely at the picture then answer the questions that follow:

@Faith, Sigh, and DIYThe Resurrection

https://www.pexels.com/photo/sunray-across-green-grass-field-1237107/

• What does the picture depict?

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

• How would you describe the picture?

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

4
 • How do you think people process and record human experience? What discipline is
involved?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is It
Learning Task 4: Some Good Read
After you have completed the foregoing activities, read thoroughly the text.

• The Human Knowledge

Knowledge can be divided into three broad categories; the social sciences, the natural
sciences, and the humanities.
Some disciplines of the Social Sciences include Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology,
Economics and Political Science. These subjects relate to the foundation, establishment
and growth of human society.
Natural sciences aim to explain and predict various phenomena in nature, such as
cellular composition, atomic particles, weather conditions, and earthquake patterns which
includes Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Physics to name a few.
Lastly, the Humanities tend to humanize humans as they express themselves in
various forms such as art and art history, literature, and music among others.

• The Social Sciences Vis-à-vis the Natural Sciences

Though Social Sciences and Natural Sciences both use scientific method, these fields
differ from each other as the former focuses on human relationships while the latter
undertakes controlled experiments. As such, Natural Sciences are sometimes called “hard
sciences” contrary to the Social Sciences being referred as the “soft sciences”.

• The Importance of the Social Sciences

The present social ills can be effectively addressed by obtaining knowledge from both
the natural sciences and the social sciences. The two domains work hand in hand to help
alleviate problems in the society and improve human conditions.
For example, researchers working on climate change will be definitely dealing with
biology and ecology in the natural sciences. They may also have to obtain knowledge about
the impact of climate change on social behaviors (sociology) and on power as motivation for
human behavior (political science).
Compared to the Social Sciences, Natural Sciences may have advanced in terms of
controlling and predicting the nature. Whereas, we still have a long way to go in terms of
ending wars among nations and people, in eradicating poverty and crime in the society, or
in eliminating gender inequalities. Fortunately, the field of the social sciences may help us
understand the complexities of human behavior and relations as it attempts to solve
societal problems.

5
What is More
• Science and the Social Sciences
Society is commonly defined as “people in general thought of living together in
organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values” (Merriam Webster Dictionary,
2014). It is “an enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed
organized patterns of relationships through interactions with one another” (Merriam-Webster
Dictionary, 2014. The term “social” is closely related to human society as it refers to the
interaction of individuals and groups as well as to the welfare of humans as members of the
society.
Science pertains to “knowledge about or study of the natural world based on facts
learned through experiments and observation” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Science also
refers to the various methods or modes of inquiry utilized in order to obtain that knowledge.
However, science is oftentimes associated with matter, chemicals, rocks, plants, constellations,
motions, it should be noted that it can also be utilized systematically to study the intricacies
of human experience, such as attitudes, behaviors, opinions, feelings, and ideologies among
others.

Read MORE: Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences (Reader) pp.2-22

(Weblink) Discover more about the Social Sciences by visiting

http://www.esrc.ac.uk/about-esrc/what-is-social-science/index.aspx. Read the article ‘How
social science shapes lives.’
For this week’s lesson, rate your learning based on your mastery of the following
objectives:

Objectives Poor Average Excellent

Define Social Sciences For this week’s lesson, rate your learning based on your mastery of the following objectives:

Define Natural sciences

Define Humanities
Distinguish the difference
among Social and Natural
Sciences and Humanities
Compare and contrast
Social and Natural
Sciences and Humanities

What I Have Learned

Learning Task 5. What I Have Got
Share your thoughts about going through with this lesson for a week.

6
 The activity/activities I like most is/are
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________,
because through these activities I have learned that
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

Learning Task 6. Complete Me

At this phase you are tasked to accomplish each activity that follows:
Directions: Figure out the terms being defined by filling in the blanks with the correct letters.
1. _ _I_ _C_ A branch of study concerned with the observation and classification of facts
through experiments.
2. _O_ _E_Y People living together in organized communities while sharing the same
traditions and norms.
3. _ _M_ _I_ _E_ The study of human culture that includes music and art.
4. _ _P_T_E_I_ An astute guess or inference that is formulated and provisionally adopted
to explain observed facts or conditions and to guide in further investigations.
5. _ _S_ _P_ _N_ Term for a particular branch of learning or body of knowledge.
6. _ _P_R_ _ _S_ The view that all rationally acceptable beliefs or propositions are justifiable
or knowable only through experience
7. _O_ _O_ _G_ A social science that concerns itself to societal relations, like family or
community.
8. _ _Y_H_ _O_ _ A social science dealing with the inner workings of the human mind and
how these translate to certain behavior.
9. _N_ _N_E_ _N_ An example of an applied profession dealing with the application of
scientific principles to develop machines and devices.
10. _ _C_ _M_ Ancient body of knowledge aimed at discovering an elixir of life.

7
Learning Task 7: The Iron Grid
Complete the concept map based on your understanding of the brief discussion (See Annex
_ for the template)

Human Knowledge

can be classified into

defined as

with disciplines such as

8
Learning Task 8. Answer Me
Identify whether the following topic is classified under the natural sciences, the social
sciences or both. Then, briefly explain your answer.
1. How is COVID19 transmitted? _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
2. How can the government control the spread of COVID19? __________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Why is there a rising rate of COVID19 in our country? ___________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Why is there an increased number of heavy typhoons that hit the Philippines?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
5. When will the Mt. Pinatubo likely to erupt again? ____________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

Learning Task 9: What I think of You

Share your insights about the article, “How social science shapes lives”
http://www.esrc.ac.uk/about-esrc/what-is-social-science/index.aspx

You may write it on a separate sheet of paper.

Assessment

Learning Task 10: My Choice

Accomplish any of the two activities.

Discuss your answer to the following questions: (Have your discussion on a separate
sheet of paper)
1. How are the different branches of knowledge categorized? Illustrate how each domain
contributes in building human knowledge? What makes each domain distinct from one
another?
2.How is social sciences, natural sciences and humanities differ from one another? How
do these sciences complement one another in understanding the world?

Online: Make a 5-minute documentary on a particular social problem that you are most
interested in. You may include the details:
a.) nature of the social problem,
b) cause of the problem,
c.) possible solutions

You will be graded based on the rubric given (See attachment)

You may send your documentary through messenger.
9
KEY CONCEPTS:

1. Domain. A sphere of knowledge, influence, or activity

2. Discipline. A particular branch of learning or body of knowledge, such as physics,
sociology and history
3. Empiricism. The view that all rationally acceptable beliefs or propositions are
justifiable or knowable only through experience
4. Norm. A standard pattern, especially of social behavior, that is typical or expected
from a group
5. Society. It came from the Latin word societas that was derived from the noun socious
meaning comrade, friend, or ally; group of people who occupy a particular territory
and speak a common language not generally understood by neighboring peoples
6. Science. It came from the Latin word scientia meaning knowledge; a body of
knowledge organized in a logical manner and the method by which that knowledge is
obtained

RUBRIC FOR DOCUMENTARY

CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS POINTS

OBTAINED
Content The documentary contained the
required information as
specified in the instruction. The 10
scientific method can be
observed in doing the
documentary
Organization The work was well organized
and the message of the 5
documentary is well
understood
Presentation The presentation was clear
with the use of effective audio- 5
visual effects
Total 20

10
 Week

What I Need to Know 2

Social Sciences comparatively are much younger compared to natural
sciences. These are the disciplines that deal with human society, social groups, and
individuals as they relate with their fellowmen and institutions within the society.
Each discipline has its own way of looking at society depending on its focus of study
based on human behavior. A thorough understanding of the origin and
development of each discipline may help you appreciate its importance and
application in your everyday life.
Through this lesson, it is hoped that you will discover the strong points of
each discipline, the major events that constitute and the contributions that lead to
the birth of each social science discipline.
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to meet the following objectives:
MELC 2: Explain the major events and its contributions that led to the emergence
of the Social Sciences disciplines
• Identify the proponents/key personalities in the exploration of each social science
discipline
• Illustrate the historical foundation and social context that led to the emergence of
each discipline

What I Know
Learning Task 1. My Issues
Identify the social science discipline that can resolve or expound the issues listed below.
1. Verifying the WHO report that COVID19 is airborne transmitted.
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. Understanding the concern of parents on Online Distance Learning.
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. Pursuing the Anti-Terrorism Law amidst the time of pandemic.
_______________________________________________________________________________
4. Analyzing the effectiveness of the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program or 4Ps to
the targeted Filipino families
_______________________________________________________________________________
5. Understanding the reason why 27.9% of the Filipino population fall below the
poverty line in 2012.
_______________________________________________________________________________
6. The culture of mendicancy and over reliance of Filipinos to government welfare.
_______________________________________________________________________________
7. Gashing the overzealous “pinoy pride”, our pretense that Pinoys are good at
everything is the silliest clichés.
_______________________________________________________________________________

12
 8. Observing social distancing helps in the combat against COVID19.
_______________________________________________________________________________
9. Discovering the exact place of the “first mass in the Philippines” that happened in
1521.
_______________________________________________________________________________
10. Explaining the alarming frequency of sinkholes that occurred in various parts of
the Philippines just recently.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Learning Task 2. My Stand
Briefly answer the questions below.
1. What made you choose that particular social science discipline?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How can social science discipline expound or resolve the issue at hand?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Learning Task 3. I am on Track
List down at least five career tracks based on the different social science disciplines.
Accomplish the box below.

Discipline Career Track

Anthropology

Economics

Geography

History

Linguistics

Political Science

Sociology

Psychology

Demography

13
What Is In
Learning Task 4. My Previous Thought
Read the text to review on the last topic.
The domain of the social sciences attempts to explain and predict various
phenomena in nature. There are at least eight disciplines that are mentioned in this
module, e.g. Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Linguistics, Political
Science, Sociology, Psychology, and Demography. To reiterate, each discipline has its
own way of looking at society depending on its focus of study based on human behavior.
While the emergence of each discipline happened in different periods of time, most of
them occurred between the periods of 18th to 19th centuries. Others are relatively new,
while others have long been established by the Greeks, such as History.
To further enlighten you with the topic at hand, do the task below.
Learning Task 5. Trace the Roots
Give the etymology of the different Social Science disciplines and their meaning.
You may refer to a dictionary or any references of your choice online.
1. socius _____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________
2. polis ______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. linguistique________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
4. Anthropos ________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

5. oikanomia ________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

6. istoria _____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

7. geo ________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

8. psyche _____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

14
What Is New
Learning Task 6. My Network
Study the picture. How can you relate the image to Social Sciences especially nowadays that
technology seems to be indispensable? In three to five sentences, what do you think the
picture depicts?

https://viterbischool.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/COSINE.jpg

I think the picture depicts

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is it
Learning Task 7. Read Me
Read thoroughly the text below.
There are eight disciplines in the Social Sciences that you will be familiarized with as you go
through the discussion. Be able to note details of the important events that gave way to the
emergence of each discipline including its proponent/pioneer and their contributions to the
field.
15
 Anthropology - Its roots can be traced from natural history which is the study of
plants, animals and humans with reference to their history and native environment.
The discovery and contact to new civilizations by European explorers and colonizers
led to curiosity and questions of who these people are, who their ancestors were, how
they are related to other people in other places, what makes them distinct, what
similarities they share with the rest, how they conduct their way of life, and what
culture they have in terms of knowledge they possess, their beliefs, technology that
they have, etc. It was only in the 19th century that the discipline began its formative
years as a social science, though since the ancient times, there were already many
illustrations, chronicles and travelogues containing descriptions of human culture
and civilizations.

Edward Burnett Taylor (1832-1917)

He is an English Cultural Anthropologist and the first one
to hold the chair in the subject at Oxford University in the
UK in 1896. He coined the term “culture” and wrote
“Researches into the Early History of Mankind and the
Development of Civilization” which was published in 1865

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.n9KJbyN_vFbwSaP1SI03rAHaIi&pid=Api&rs=
1&c=1&qlt=95&w=105&h=121 (image)

Economics - It was not considered a separate discipline until the 19th century. The
Greeks examined wealth accumulation and inquiries on whether property should be
in the hands of private or public institutions. During the medieval times, scholars
argued that it was a moral obligation of businesses to sell goods at a just price.
Economic thought evolved through feudalism in the Middle Ages to mercantilist
theory in the Renaissance, when people were concerned to orient policy to further the
national interest. Changes in the economic thought have always accompanied
changes in the economy, just as the changes in economic thought can propel change
in economic policy.

Adam Smith (1723-1790)

Adam Smith was an 18th-century Scottish economist,
philosopher, and author who is considered the father of
modern economics. Smith argued against mercantilism and
was a major proponent of laissez-faire economic policies. In
his first book, "The Theory of Moral Sentiments," Smith
proposed the idea of an invisible hand—the tendency of free
markets to regulate themselves by means of competition,
supply and demand, and self-interest.

16
Smith is also known for creating the concept of gross domestic product (GDP) and
for his theory of compensating wage differentials. 2 According to this theory,
dangerous or undesirable jobs tend to pay higher wages as a way of attracting
workers to these positions.3 Smith's most notable contribution to the field of
economics was his 1776 book, "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth
of Nations."
1 https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.di_t4-

efpg7HYQPA8TLg4gAAAA&pid=Api&rs=1&c=1&qlt=95&w=122&h=122(image)
https://www.investopedia.com/updates/adam-smith-economics/
By RAKESH SHARMA Updated Feb 16, 2020

Geography - It is an ancient and honorable field of learning with its roots firmly set
in classical antiquity. People engaged in the study of geography because it satisfies
their natural curiosity about foreign places and the different ways of life. The ancient
Greeks made the first contribution to the subject through measuring the earth using
grids and meridians.
Eratosthenes of Cyrene (c. 276 BCE–192 or 194 BCE) was an ancient Greek
mathematician, poet, and astronomer who is known as the father of geography.
Eratosthenes was the first person to use the word
"geography" and other geographical terms that are still in
use today, and his efforts to calculate the circumference
of the Earth and the distance from the Earth to the Sun
paved the way for our modern understanding of the
cosmos. Among his other many accomplishments were
the creation of the first map of the world and the
invention of an algorithm known as the sieve of
Eratosthenes, which is used to identify prime numbers.
https://www.thoughtco.com/eratosthenes-biography-1435011 By Matt Rosenberg
Updated July 03, 2019

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.Fj_hCILjgIWG_S5H69X80gHaEK&pid=Api&rs=
1&c=1&qlt=95&w=160&h=90 (image)
History - Influences of ancient Greeks have helped spawn variant interpretations of
the nature of history which have evolved over the centuries and continue to change
today. The groundwork for professional historiography in East Asia was established
by the Han dynasty. Through the Medieval and Renaissance period, History was
often studied through a sacred or religious perspective. In the West, historians
developed modern methods of historiography in the 17th and 18th centuries, especially
in France and Germany. In the 20th century, academic historians focused less on
epic nationalistic narratives, which often tended to glorify the nation or great men, to
more objective and complex analyses of social and intellectual forces. Recently, the

17
filed of digital history has begun to address ways of using computer technology to
pose new questions to historical data and generate digital scholarships.
Herodotus was a Greek writer and geographer credited with being the first
historian. Sometime around the year 425 B.C., Herodotus published his
magnum opus: a long account of the Greco -Persian Wars that he called “The
Histories.” (The Greek word “historie” means “in quiry.”) Before Herodotus,
no writer had ever made such a systematic, thorough
study of the past or tried to explain the cause-and-effect
of its events. After Herodotus, historical analysis
became an indispensable part of intellectual and
political life. Scholars have been following in Herodotus’
footsteps for 2,500 years.
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/herodotus
https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.7C22WCcmNiaezNkqVrRMBQHaJQ&pid=Api&
rs=1&c=1&qlt=95&w=85&h=106 (image)
Linguistics – It was the Babylon who first created linguistics texts called Sumerian
whereas the Hindus also created text called Vedas. The formal study of language
begun in India and it started with the formulation of 3,959 rules of Sanskrit
morphology. Early interest in language in the West was a part of Philosophy, not
grammatical description.

Ferdinand de Saussure, (born Nov. 26, 1857, Geneva, Switz.—

died Feb. 22, 1913, Vufflens-le-Château),
Swiss linguist whose ideas on structure in language laid the
foundation for much of the approach to and progress of
the linguistic sciences in the 20th century.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ferdinand-de-
Saussure
https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.Oi6HKnpZRaY8byncKcO4PQHaKD&pid=Api&
rs=1&c=1&qlt=95&w=89&h=121 (image)

Political Science – It was once part of the many related fields of study like history,
philosophy, law and economics. The theoretical and practical study of the state and
the politics began way back to the time of the ancient Greeks, about 500-300 B.C.
During the ancient times, men had formed basic social linkages, inherently
persuaded by the needs to associate themselves to protect their survival and
interests. Families came to organize collective unions from simple bands to more
organized associations forming a village whose membership span to more than a
hundred that in the process ushered the birth of a city. The chieftain who headed a
village was chosen from the ranks of leaders with the power to make laws, judge and
execute laws. Eventually, the chiefdom became a state.

18
Aristotle, Greek Aristoteles, (born 384 BCE,
Stagira, Chalcidice, Greece—died 322, Chalcis, Euboea)
Ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, one of the
greatest intellectual figures of Western history. He was the
author of a philosophical and scientific system that became the
framework and vehicle for both
Christian Scholasticism and medieval Islamic philosophy. Even after the intellectual
revolutions of the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Enlightenment, Aristotelian
concepts remained embedded in Western thinking.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aristotle
https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.8bbnpajXw19XeSHKn7iwmgHaHa&pid=Api&r
s=1&c=1&qlt=95&w=98&h=98 (image)

Psychology – It has its first roots in ancient Greek philosophy such as epistemology,
metaphysics, religion and oriental philosophy. Its seeds were sown from natural
sciences such as biology and physiology. Over the centuries, psychology and
physiology became increasingly separated resulting to the two conceptions of
psychology that is phenomenological (experiential) and mechanistic (physiological).
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)
Wilhelm Wundt was a 19th century psychologist who established the discipline
of experimental psychology and is considered to be one of the fathers of
psychology.
Wilhelm Wundt was born in Baden, Germany on August 16, 1832, to a Lutheran
minister and his wife. Wundt studied medicine at the
University of Tubingen for one year, but his academic
performance was poor. Wundt continued studying at
the University of Berlin after graduation.
In 1857, Wundt accepted a position as a lecturer at the
University of Heidelberg, where he also worked as a
lab assistant to Hermann Helmholtz, a physiologist.
Wundt taught the first scientific psychology course
beginning in 1862. That same year, he introduced the discipline of experimental
psychology in the book Contributions to the Theory of Sensory Perception. In 1864,
Wundt advanced to assistant professor of physiology, and he began to
explore neuropsychology.
https://www.goodtherapy.org/famous-psychologists/wilhelm-wundt.html
https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.c2uDvbkxu9qA0WFd7lpLugHaGL&pid=Api&rs
=1&c=1&qlt=95&w=136&h=113 (image)

19
 Sociology and Demography - The intellectual, scientific and industrial revolution
which happened in Europe in the middle of the 19th century led to the development
of Sociology. The intellectual revolution opened new perspectives in society which
offered the people new principles, ideals and beliefs, changing their outlook in life
and the way they perceive themselves, their environment and relations with
fellowmen. The scientific revolution empowered men to overcome their natural
limitations and improve society. The industrial revolution led rapid progress and
economic stimulus. The revolutions in Europe brought rapid and radical changes
which resulted to social problems, issues and social unrest prompting some
individuals to direct their attention and investigation of social phenomena.
Auguste Comte (1798-1857)
A French sociologist who advocated the application of scientific
method to social life and positivism. He was the one who coined
the term “sociology” and wrote the “Cours de Philosophie Positive”
published from 1830-1842 in six volumes

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.pMEAxQCmGrTYSPEo5Sj_TgHaJe&pid=Api&r
s=1&c=1&qlt=95&w=87&h=111 (image)

What Is More
Let us also take note of some Filipinos who have contributed significantly in the different
Social Science disciplines in the Philippines.
Learning Task 8. Say My Name
Identify the Filipino personalities and their contribution to the social sciences. Tell
something about them based on the choices given below. You may write your answer on
the line provided for.

A. Felipe Landa Jocano (1930-2013)

_____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.uvxPqCVQfQU9V233LiAuQQAAAA&pid=Api&rs=1&
c=1&qlt=95&w=67&h=107

20
 B. Teodoro Agoncillo (1912 – 1985)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.ZeH23kZtqSiSXmRcXhzHiAAAAA&pid=Api&rs=1&c
=1&qlt=95&w=95&h=115

C. Renato Constantino (1919-1999)

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.cjT22xwZTV9sFAe0VpO7OgHaJb&pid=Api&rs=1&c
=1&qlt=95&w=86&h=110

D. Zeus A. Salazar (1934- 1985)

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP._CWM1ASBRVO0I6Px4eRM2AHaFj&pid=Api&rs=1
&c=1&qlt=95&w=166&h=124

E. Virgilio Enriquez (1942- 1994)

_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.TSnVl6WJ2TLNkmPnNmSZ_AAAAA&pid=Api&rs=1
&c=1&qlt=95&w=119&h=119

21
Choices:
1. A noted Filipino psychologist known for his work on kapuwa. He was known as the
“Father of Filipino Psychology”
2. A prominent Filipino historian known for his “Pantayong Pananaw”
3. An influential Filipino historian who advocated a greater role of the masses in
history
4. A prominent Filipino historian named “National Scientist of the Philippines” in 1985
5. He was dubbed as “the country’s first and foremost cultural anthropologist”
Learning Task 9. My Term
Read thoroughly the statements below. Then choose from the word pool below the
appropriate term that corresponds to them.
1. ____________ A description of society’s customary behaviors, beliefs and attitudes.
2. ____________Objects or materials made or modified for use by hominids.
3. ____________The period in the past before people could write.
4. ____________The customary ways of thinking and behaving of a population or society
5. ____________The difference in value between a country’s imports and exports over a
certain period.
6. ____________The official process of counting the number of people in a country, city,
or town.
7. ____________The movement of people from one country or place to another in order
to live or work.
8. ____________Any of a family of erect bipedal primate mammals that includes recent
humans
9. ____________The behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated
with one sex
10. ______________The hardened remains or impressions of plants and animals that
lived in the past.

a. Census b. artifact c. ethnography d. fossil e. hominid f. prehistory

g. migration h. balance of trade i. culture j. gender

What I Have Learned

Learning Task 10. I Rate Myself
Self Assessment. Rate your mastery of the topic for this week. You may put a check mark
on the appropriate heading/column. The last column requires you to answer why you have
rated yourself based on the given rating performance.

22
 Poor Average Excellent

I can identify
personalities who
have contributed to
the Social Sciences

I can discuss each

discipline well

I can illustrate and

explain the
historical
foundation and
social context that
led to the
emergence of each
discipline

WHY?

23
Learning Task 11. The Iron Grid
Complete the grid below. Fill out each heading with the correct answer.
Proponent/Pioneer Discipline Work/s Significant event/s
Auguste Comte

Geography

Principles of
Physiological
Psychology

The theoretical and practical study of the

state and the politics began way back to the
time of the ancient Greeks, about 500-300
BC

Ferdinand de
Saussure

History

Prepared the
earliest maps of the
known world

It was not considered a separate

discipline until the 19 th century

Edward Burnett
Taylor

Learning Task 12. What Am I

Identify which discipline or disciplines may meet the following objectives:
1. _______________________ To accumulate certain and definite knowledge about the
rise and fall of civilizations in the past.
2. _________________________ To discover how humans have physically changed or
evolved in the past.
3. _________________________To systematically organize written accounts or narrative
of facts in the past in order to discover meaningful relationships with others.
4. ________________________ To fully understand the mechanisms behind the human
language.
5. ________________________To learn more about the thoughts and attitudes of an
individual.

24
Learning Task 13. Tell Me
Answer the question comprehensively.
1. Why do you have to study Anthropology? Do you agree that anthropology can be considered
as the fundamental discipline concerned with humans? Justify your answer.

What I Can Do
Learning Task 14. My Search
Write a single page essay on the topic, “ If I become a social scientist, I would…”,
highlighting your passion to a particular discipline and your probable contribution in
enriching the field of study in the future. You may want to do a simple research on the
lives of people who have contributed much in a certain field to have an idea on their
motivation and outlook in life.
You will be graded based on this rubric.
Criteria Description Points Points
Gained

Content The content was very clear. There was a clear 8

basis to prove and validate the claims
Analysis The student was able to convey his/her own 8
analysis of a discipline as supported by
factual information
Organization The essay was well-organized. It highlighted 4
the student’s passion and possible
contribution to the field of study.

Total 20

Assessment
Learning Task 15. On My Own
A. Create a timeline showing the major historical events and social context in the
emergence of the social science disciplines.
B. Be able to discuss what and how these events contributed to the emergence of each
discipline. You may include the personalities involved and their contribution.

25
 Weeks

What I Need to Know 3-4

In the previous modules you have learned about the emergence and essence of
the Social Sciences, as well as the distinction among the Social Sciences, the Natural
Sciences and the Humanities.
In this module, you will learn about the dominant approaches and ideas used in
the scientific study of society. These dominant approaches and ideas offer various ways
of explaining the things that are happening. Particularly, this module will discuss major
Social Sciences theories such as Structural Functionalism, Marxism and Symbolic
Interactionism. These different approaches offer different ways of looking at society.
It is expected of you that at the end of this module you will be able to:
MELC 3: Analyze the basic concepts and principles of the major Social Science
theories
• Ascertain manifest and latent functions of sociocultural phenomena as
well as social dysfunctions based on structural functionalism
• Analyze social inequalities in terms of class conflict based on Marxism
• Interpret personal and social experiences using relevant theoretical
approaches in the social sciences.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each approach

What I Know
Learning Task 1. The Iron Grid
Fill up the grid below with the given concepts according to the specific theory.
Structural Functionalism Marxism Symbolic Interactionism

Concepts:
Society is systematically structured, and maybe likened to a biological organism
Social functions refer to results or effects for the operation of the society in
general
Manifest functions are those that are intentional or known
Latent functions are the unexpected effects of the institutions
Manifest dysfunctions are expected disruptions of social life
It is a social science approach which depends on the symbolic meaning
developed by people in the process of interaction
Symbols refer to the means by which people extensively and creatively
communicate
28
 Society distinguishes between the infrahuman (lower animal) and human life
The self refers to the conscious, contemplative personality of the individual
The mind or the mental aspect of the individuals materializes human
communication
Bourgeoisie, proletariat, and historical materialism
Alienation means separation from ones true or necessary nature
False consciousness or the Marxist belief that members of the working class are
deceived from their true class position when they fail to realize their class
oppression
Praxis encourages the community or group under study to become empowered
and help them challenge their oppression

What Is In
You have learned in the previous module the nature of social sciences and its
various disciplines. You are now also familiar with how these social science disciplines
emerged and the remarkable personalities behind them. This module introduces to you
the most dominant approaches and ideas employed in the social sciences. These
concepts may help provide plausible explanations on why humans act and think the
way they do. These theories will help you understand and explain human behavior.

Learning Task 2. Me, Myself & I

Try yourself to begin with as the subject. Can you complete the Johari’s Window? A
diagram is provided for you. Fill out all the quadrants with the qualities/experiences
that you have, if you can.

The Johari Window

Open (known by both you and others) Blindspot (unknown to you but known
by others)

Hidden (known to you but not by others) Unknown (Unknown by both you and
others)

https://www.wiseinsights.net/self-awareness-blindness-johari/

29
 Be guided by the following questions as you reflect while filling out the grid.
❖ How much do you know yourself?
❖ What social theory do you think govern your actions and dispositions?
❖ How does knowing oneself make us better understand others in the society?
❖ What quadrant is the hardest one to fill out? Which comes next?
❖ How could these social science theories help you in understanding the
individual in the society and the society per se in general?

What is it
Learning Task 3. My Approach Differs
Read thoroughly the text. Take note that each approach is discussed along with its
historical context, key concepts and strengths and weaknesses. Then be prepared for
the activities/tasks that follow.

Structural Functionalism
It is one of the approaches categorized under positivist Social Science. In this
approach, social balance and equilibrium are created when all parts of society are
operating well. Study the picture below.

Similarly, a jigsaw puzzle will

only be completed if all the
pieces are put into the right
places.

What does the picture show?

How does the picture depict
the theory of Structural
Functionalism?
Why are functions more
important than structures in structural functionalism?

Structural-Functionalism is a dominant approach in the social sciences that sees

society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and
stability. In this theory, society is seen as running effortlessly like a fit like form,
composed of many parts concocted in larger systems, and these systems, each with its
own particular use or function, operating together with the others. Similarly, societies
have structures like those of organisms. Social institutions, like the parts of the body,
function together with the larger system. Social systems such as kinship, religion,
politics, and economics, together compose society, just as the biological schemes
together form the organism.

30
Historical Context
The foundations of this theory were laid by the French sociologist Emile Durkheim in
the 19th century discussed in his books, The Division of Labor in Society and Suicide.
Another contribution would come from England, through the initiatives of Bronislaw
Malinowski and A.R. Radcliffe-Brown. The early 20th century had Malinowski speculated
that cultural practices had psychological and physiological functions. Meanwhile,
Radcliffe-Brown focused on social structure. In the United States, Talcott Parsons
introduced the idea of homeostasis, or the idea that these are constant types of
structures which compose the inner reliant systems of a society and worked to maintain
society.

Key Concepts
Among the important concepts in structural functionalism are social structure, social
function, social dysfunction, manifest function, and latent function. Study the figure
below.

government
SOCIAL STRUCTURES
(patterned social relations)
Church (religion)

School (education)

media
Structural
Functionalism

MANIFEST FUNCTIONS
(intended functions)

SOCIAL
FUNCTIONS/DYSFUNCTIONS
(effects for the operations of
society
LATENT FUNCTIONS
(unintended functions)
(

Figure 3.1: Important Concepts in Structural Functionalism

One important concept in structural functionalism is social structure. A.R. Radcliffe-

Brown argued that explanations of social phenomena could be constructed at the
societal level, that people were only temporal occupants of social roles. People were
merely important in relation to their positions in the overall structure of social roles in
society. The theory further posits that society is a multifaceted scheme whose parts
work mutually for the promotion of harmony and constancy. Our lives are governed by
31
social structures—in families, the community, even political institutions. Several
customs give structure to our daily lives such as government, education, media, social
hierarchy, church, and sports club.
Social functions refer to results or effects for the operation of the society in general.
The family can be treated as having essential functions for society such as providing
sexual, reproductive, economic, and educational needs for its members. The media
provides the social function of mirroring the concerns of the audience. Religion
contributes to the well being of society. Social functions maybe intended or unintended
consequences, thus they can be classified into manifest and latent functions.
• Manifest and Latent Functions. Robert Merton, an American sociologist
emphasized the importance of manifest and latent functions in structural
functionalism for a better understanding of society. According to him,
manifest functions are those that are intentional or known, referring to
functions which people suppose and anticipate being fulfilled by the
institutions. Meanwhile, latent functions are the unexpected effects of
institutions. For example, the manifest function of religion is to provide
meaning and purpose for a society by offering the comforting sense that
we come from and will go back to a higher being. The latent function of
religion would be contributing entertaining facilities and courtship
prospects to its youth members.

What about the manifest and latent functions of education? Can you determine what they are?

Social Dysfunctions. Dysfunctions may also be manifest or latent and can have a
negative effect on society. Manifest dysfunctions are expected disruptions of social life.
For instance, a manifest dysfunction of heavy migration from rural to urban areas might
include over population and unemployment. Latent dysfunction might include rise in
crime rate due to massive unemployment generated by the said migration.
Strengths and Criticisms of Structural Functionalism
One of the strengths of structural functionalism is the existence of general agreement
on the values and norms of the society by the majority. For example, sharing is good,
stealing is bad. This helps keep order and harmony in society. Another strength of the
theory is the belief that society is made up of integrated parts that are bound together,
and that if something is wrong with one part, it will affect the other parts. Lastly,
structural functionalism tends to seek stability and avoid conflict, thus maintaining
social order.
However, these strengths are also seen as weaknesses by some critics. For
instance, it is seen as wary of social change because of its focus on integration and
consensus which in doing so, ignores independence and conflict. Another weakness is
its tendency to ignore inequality in terms of race, gender and class, which causes
32
conflict. It is also criticized for having no agency for it sees individuals as puppets
playing out their respective roles in society. Furthermore, the theory was only able to
explain the development of institutions through recourse to the consequences attributed
to them. For the postmodernists, structural functionalism is criticized for its claim to
objectivity and propagation of a grand narrative in explaining society in all its modes.
Marxism
Marxism refers to the political and economic theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
In this theory, the concept of class struggle plays an important role in abolishing class
oppression. Marx believed that consciousness is shaped by the material and economic
environment; hence history is a product of material circumstances. It espouses a
dialectical view of social change and serves as a critique of capitalism. Marxism is
associated with conflict theory, the view that society is divided into social classes which
are always in conflict with one another. It analyzes how society functions to serve the
powerful class and disadvantage the others, thereby causing conflict. It views social
order as a product of coercion and power being exercised by the more powerful group
(bourgeoisie to the disadvantage group (proletariat).It sees society as being fragmented
into groups that compete for social and economic resources, with power in the hands of
those with the greatest political, economic, and social resources.
Historical Context
After Marx death in 1883, Marxism as a political ideology came into existence. It was
primarily the product of the attempt by Engels and other followers of Marx. They
condensed Marx ideas into a comprehensive worldview. Overtime, there emerged
different types of Marxism: Classical Marxism, Orthodox Communism, and Neo-
Marxism or Modern Marxism.
Classical Marxism refers to a philosophy of history that explains why socialism is meant
to take the place of capitalism (Heywood,2007).
Orthodox communism emerged during the 20th century. It was characterized by the
Russian Revolution led by Vladimir Lenin in 1917 which became the Communist Party
in 1918.
Modern Marxism or Neo-Marxism is an updated or revised from of Marxism was
developed which rejects determinism and emphasizes the importance of economics and
the privileged status of the proletariat. Neo-Marxist rejected the idea that class struggle
is the beginning and end of class analysis. They also rejected orthodox communism.

Did you know that Marx was able to devote time to study and develop his economic and political theories
because Engels supported him financially? Engels gave Marx the royalties of his book, Condition of the
Working Class in England and sought for donations from other sympathizers
33
Key Concepts
Historical materialism is an important concept in Marxism. Marx emphasized that
material conditions shape consciousness and history. For Marx, the emergence of a
classless society would signal the eventual end of history because it is the ideal state
where wealth would be owned collectively by the people. Only through class struggle
would the establishment of a classless society be possible.
In his work, The German Ideology (1845), Marx discussed the four stages of society:
primitive communism, slavery, feudalism, and capitalism. In primitive communism,
there was no concept of ownership and everything was communal, but conflict was
determined by material scarcity. Slavery was characterized by ancient societies where
the source of conflict was between master and slave. Meanwhile, feudalism had its
source of conflict between landowners and serfs; and lastly, capitalism wherein the
conflict was between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.
Another important concept to help us better understand Marxism is the alienation
which means separation from one’s true or necessary nature and the idea was used by
the Marxists to describe the process by which labor is reduced to being a mere
commodity under capitalism. From their labor, workers are expected to produce
surplus, or the amount of resources that exceeds the portion that is needed, which can
be utilized for profit. From this, surplus value was generated, or the value extracted
from the labor of the proletariat by the mechanism of capitalist exploitation. In order to
mask the true nature of workers’ oppression, capitalists propagate false
consciousness, the Marxists belief that members of the working class deceived from
their true class position when they fail to realize their class oppression. This false
consciousness is said to cause workers to disregard the true nature of their oppression
because of the belief in the possibility of upward mobility. In order to expose this false
consciousness and eventually end class oppression, Marxists emphasized praxis, or the
process by which theory is enacted to realize by critically assessing the world and
change society based on the workers’ own class interests, rather than accepting the
ideology of the capitalist class.

In capitalist society, two conflicting classes emerged: the bourgeoisie or the middle class who
controlled the mode of production, and the proletariat or the workers whose labor brought profit for
the bourgeois class

Strengths and Criticisms

One of the strengths of Marxism is the view that conflicts in society are caused by the
battle over power to control not only the resources but also the norms and values of a
society. Another strength is its claim that if there are classes in society, there will always
34
be conflict and oppression, hence explaining the cause and dynamics of social
inequality. Lastly, it advocates a macro-level analysis of society by emphasizing that
social structures affect human behavior and the material conditions created by the said
structures influence how people think, behave and act.
As for the criticisms, it is sometimes seen as focusing on the negative, always changing,
and clashing nature of society instead of focusing on the positive aspects of society. It
tends to emphasize conflict and social change as opposed to harmony and social
stability. Another criticism would be its macro-level analysis of society, with critics
arguing that its view of social structures affecting the way people behave ignores the
complexities and nuances of everyday life and power relations. It is also criticized for
losing scientific objectivity for it encourages researchers to be activist of social change
instead of just merely analyzing the social issues they are dealing with.

Did you know that George Orwell’s Animal Farm (1945) was a critique of Russian Communism which he
described as a “brutal dictatorship, built upon the cult of personality and enforced by a reign of terror” For
a full story of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, please visit msxnet.org/orwell/print/animal_farm.pdf.

Symbolic Interactionism
Symbolic interactionism refers to a key framework of sociological theory which depends
on the symbolic meaning developed by people in the process of interaction. Through
the lens of symbolic interactionism, society is examined by concentrating on the
subjective meanings that people impose on things, incidents and actions. Subjective
meanings are prioritized because of the belief that people behave based on what they
perceived to be true and not on what are objectively true. Hence, society is seen as
socially constructed based on human interpretation.
Historical Context
Symbolic interactionism was a reaction to behaviorism of psychological theories
dominant at the time it was first formulated in the 1920s and 1930s. Its origin can be
traced back to American sociologists George Mead and Herbert Blumer. In this
approach, humans are differentiated from animals who merely react to their
environment, because humans have the ability to disrupt process of stimulus response.
Symbolic Interactionism is also rooted in phenomenology, for its asserts that the
objective world has no reality for humans, only objects which are subjectively identified
have meaning.

Symbolic Interactionism traces its origins to Max Weber’s assertion that individual’s act according to
their interpretation of the meaning of their world. However, it was the American philosopher, George
Herbert Mead who introduced symbolic interactionism to American sociology in the 1920s.
35
Key Concepts in Symbolic Interactionism
One of the concepts that is important in this approach is that of symbols, which refer
to the means by which people extensively and creatively communicate. Symbols are
culturally derived social objects having shared meanings that are created and
maintained in social interaction
Society is also another important concept in symbolic interactionism. It distinguishes
between the infrahuman (human animal) and human life. In human life, collaboration
is cognitive and conscious while an infrahuman life, cooperation is determined
physiologically. Human cooperation can only be made possible by each individual
determining the purpose of other people’s action, and each individual choosing his or
her own reaction based on that purpose.
The self is another important concept in symbolic interactionism. It refers to the
conscious, contemplative personality of the individual. It is the being or nature of a
person one imagines when he or she thinks about who he or she is. The development
of self is made possible through role-taking: in order to see yourself, you have to be able
to take the role of another, which in turn allows you to contemplate upon your own self.
Another important concept is the mind, or the mental aspect of individuals which
materialize from human communication. The mind becomes evident when significant
symbols are being used in communication. It becomes apparent whenever the individual
is interacting with himself or herself using significant symbols.
Strengths and Criticisms
Among the strengths of symbolic interactionism is the recognition that people are
symbol users, that one can examine society by concentrating on the subjective meanings
that people impose on things, incidents, and actions.
Another strength is the claim that people respond to others based on their
understanding of the situation, that people behave based on what they perceive d to be
true and not on what are objectively true.
Another strength would be the recognition that society is a process by which people
have constructed meaning and have negotiated social interaction. Lastly, its focus on
microlevel analysis serves as one of its strengths since it concentrates on individuals
rather than larger structures or institutions.
One of the criticisms against symbolic interactionism is its focus on small scale aspects
of social life and its over emphasis on the individual. It tends to neglect the over all level
of social interpretation—the “big picture”.

36
Another criticism is that it downplays the role of the social forces and institutions on
individual interactions. It is not able to explain how structures affect individual
meanings, perceptions, and interpretations.

Weblink: For more information about symbolic interactionism, please visit

https://www.boundless.com/sociology/understanding-sociology/the-theoretical-perspectives-in-
sociology/the-symbolic-interactionist-perspective/.

What’s More
Learning Task 4. My Function
After thoroughly reading the text, you are now ready to answer the proceeding tasks.
A. Write MF if the statement is a manifest function and LT if it refers to latent
function.
1. _______ School provides education for children.
2. _______ School provides day care service for children of working parents.
3. _______ Religion provides courtship opportunities for single churchgoers.
4. _______ Religion provides moral standards for society.
5. _______ Sports clubs provide opportunities for social interaction among people

B. Tell whether the concept below is True or False based on Marxism theory
1. _______ Historical materialism is an important concept in Marxism.
2. ________Slavery is a characteristic of the ancient societies where the source of
conflict was between master and slave.
3. ________Marxism is associated with conflict theory.
4. ________Bourgeoisie is the powerful group and proletariat is the disadvantaged
group
5. ________Class struggle plays an important role in abolishing class oppression.
C. Tell what concept of Symbolic Interactionism (SI) is stated below.
1. This refers to the means by which people extensively and creatively
communicate. _______________________
2. It distinguishes between the infra human and human life. _________________
3. It refers to the conscious, contemplative personality of an individual. ________
4. It is the mental aspect of the individual which materializes from human
communication. _________________
5. It consists of two parts: the I and the Me. _____________________

D. Fill up the grid below with according to the heading. Provide the table with at
least three for each column.

37
 Approach Concepts Strengths Weaknesses

Structural
Functionalism

Marxism

Symbolic
Interactionism

What I Have Learned

Learning Task 5. I Rate Myself
Self- Assessment. For this module, rate your learning based on what is expected of
you at the end of the lesson.

Objectives Poor Average Excellent

Ascertain manifest and latent
functions of sociocultural
phenomena as well as social
dysfunctions based on structural
functionalism
Interpret personal and social
experiences using relevant
theoretical approaches in the
social sciences.
Analyze social inequalities in
terms of class conflict based on
Marxism
Evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of each approach

(Please state reason/s)

WHY?

Share your thoughts about going through this lesson for two weeks.

The activity/activities that I find most difficult is/are

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________ ,
because
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________ .
38
So I plan to
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________.

Learning Task 6. Complete Me

Complete the statements based on the concepts and principles that you have read in
the foregoing phase of the module. Make sure to discuss each concept briefly and
concisely.

1. Functions are more important than structures in the Structural Functionalism

approach because ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2. The differences between the human and infrahuman life are _________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3. According to Marxism, the role of conflict in explaining social inequality is

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Society is compared to organisms according to Structural Functionalism in a way
that __________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

5. The differences between social functions and dysfunctions are

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do
Learning Task 7. My Concepts
Complete the statements based on the concepts and principles that you have read in
the foregoing phase of the module. Make sure to discuss each concept briefly and
concisely.

1. Functions are more important than structures in the Structural Functionalism

approach because ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

39
 2. The differences between the human and infrahuman life are _________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3. According to Marxism, the role of conflict in explaining social inequality is

___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

4. Society is compared to organisms according to Structural Functionalism in a

way that
__________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

5. The differences between social functions and dysfunctions are

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Learning Task 8. My Thoughts

Choose at least one scenario from the given situations below. Share your own
personal and social experience or knowledge using one of the theories discussed in
this module. Write a reflection paper about it. (Be guided by the rubric)
1. The Role of your family in shaping your principles and values.
2. Deciding where and what school to enroll to in this time of the pandemic
3. The capacity of the government to alleviate the problems caused by
COVID19.

Rubric for Reflection Paper

Criteria Description Points Points
Obtained
Content The student was able to choose 10
one scenario and was able to
interpret personal and social
experience using one of the
approaches discussed in this
module
Analysis Analysis was clear and concise 6
based on the data presented
Organization The paper was well written with 4
ideas easily conveyed to others
Total 20

40
Learning Task 9. Issues and Approaches
Think of the current and pressing social issue in the country. Analyze the said
social issue, how it can be solved by any of the theoretical approaches
discussed in this module. (Be guided by the rubric)

Rubric for Analysis Paper

Criteria Description Points Points
obtained
Content The student was able to analyze 10
social problems using a theory
discussed in the lesson
Analysis Analysis was clear and concise based 6
on the data presented
Organization The paper was well written with ideas 4
easily conveyed to others
Total 20

Assessment
Learning Task 10. On My Own
Make a comparative analysis of the three theories discussed in this module based on
their concepts and principles. Identify whether there are similarities or differences
existing among the three theories. You may use graphic organizers to help you in your
analysis. (Be guided by the rubric)

Rubric for Comparative Analysis

Criteria Description Points Points

Obtained

Content The student was able to write a 10

comparative analysis of the three theories
using graph organizer

Analysis Analysis was clear and concise based on 6

the data presented

Organization The paper was well written with ideas 4

easily conveyed to others

Total 20

41
Weeks

5-6 What I Need to Know

In the previous weeks’ module, you have learned the basic concepts and principles of
the three dominant approaches and ideas used in the scientific study of society,
particularly the Structural Functionalism, Marxism, and Symbolic Interactionism. You
have further learned that these theories offer different ways of looking at society.
In this module, you will learn how to apply these theories in socio-cultural,
economic, and political conditions.
As you go through the module, it is expected that you will be able to:
MELC 4: Apply the major Social Science theories and its importance in examining
socio-cultural, economic, and political conditions
• Interpret personal and social experiences using the dominant approaches
in the Social Sciences
• Analyze social inequalities in terms of class conflict based on Marxism
• Analyze the multi-faceted scheme of working mutually to promote
harmony and constancy based on Structural functionalism
• Appraise the meanings that people attach to everyday forms of interaction
in order to explain human behavior based on Symbolic Interactionism

What I Know
Learning Task 1: My Issues
Think and list down social issues in the Philippines that can be analyzed using the
dominant approaches that were discussed in the previous weeks’ module. You may list
down as many as you can think of.

Structural Marxism Symbolic

Social Issues

Functionalism Interactionism

Whats In
Learning Task 2. Approach Recall
Before delving deeper into the lesson in this module, take a glimpse of what you have
learned in the previous modules. Read carefully the key concepts below then think of
what particular social science approach/es they bespeak of.

44
 Social Science Approach/Theory
Key Concepts (Structural Functionalism, Marxism,
Symbolic Interactionism)
1. self
2. symbols
3. mind
4. society
5. manifest function
6. latent function
7. social structure
8. conflict
9. proletariat
10.bourgeoisie

Whats New
Learning Task 3: Gallery Walk
Reflect on the compilation of pictures below then be guided by the questions that
follow:

45
Processing Questions:

1. What do the pictures speak of? Can you say

something about each one?
2. Have you seen such situation in the society?
What are your thoughts about it?
3. How do you think you can address the issue
depicted in the pictures?
4. How can you apply the different theories in
the Social Sciences to better analyze and
address each concern in the society? Explain.

46
 What Is It
Learning Task 4: I Read
Read thoroughly the text.

• David and Moore Structural Functionalism

The functional theory of stratification as articulated by Kingsley Davis and
Wilbert Moore (1945) is perhaps the best- known single piece of work in structural
functionalism theory. Davis and Moore made it clear that they regarded social
stratification as both universal and necessary. They argued that no society is ever
unstratified, or totally classless. Stratification is, in their view, a functional necessity.
All societies need such a system, and this need brings into existence a system of
stratification. They also viewed stratification system as a structure, pointing out that
stratification refers not to the individuals in the stratification system but rather to a
system of positions. They focused on how certain positions come to carry with them
different degrees of prestige and not on how individuals come to occupy certain
positions.
Given this focus, the major functional issue is how a society motivates and places
people in their “proper” positions in the stratification system. This is reducible to two
problems. First, how does society instill in the “proper” individuals the desire to fill
certain positions? Second, once people are in the right positions, how does society then
instill in them the desire to fulfill the requirements of those positions? Proper social
placement in society is a problem for three basic reasons. First, some positions are
more pleasant to occupy than others. Second, some positions are more important to
the survival of society than others. Third, different social positions require different
abilities and talents.

• Talcott Parson’s Structural Functionalism

The heart of Parsons’ work is found in his four action systems. In the
assumptions that Parsons’ made regarding his action systems we encounter the
problem of order that was his overwhelming concern and that has become a major
source of criticism of his work (Schwanenberg, 1971). The Hobbesian problem of order—
what prevents a social war of all against all—was not answered to Parsons’ (1937)
satisfaction by the earlier philosophers. Parson’s found his answer to the problem of
order in structural functionalism, which operates in his view with the following set of
assumptions:

1. Systems have the property of order and interdependence of parts.

2. Systems tend toward self-maintaining order, or equilibrium.
3. The system maybe static or involved in an ordered process of change.
4. The nature of one part of the system has an impact on the form that the other
parts can take.
5. Systems maintain boundaries with their environments.
6. Allocations and integration are two fundamental processes necessary for a
given state of equilibrium of a system.
7. Systems tend toward self-maintenance involving the maintenance of
boundaries and of the relationship of parts to the whole, control of environmental
variations, and control of tendencies to change the system from within.
47
 These assumptions led Parsons to make the analysis of the ordered structure of
society his first priority. In so doing, he did little with the issue of change, at least until
in his career:

We feel that it is uneconomical to describe changes in systems of variables

before the variables themselves have been isolated and described; therefore, we have
chosen to begin by studying particular combinations change only when a firm foundation
for such has been laid.
(Parsons and Shills,1951:6)

Again, Parsons’ main interest was the system as a whole rather than the actor of
the system – how the system controls the actor, not how the actor creates and maintains
the system. This reflects Parsons’ commitment on this issue to structural functional
orientation.

• Robert Merton’s Structural Functionalism

While Talcott Parsons is the most important structural functional theorist, his
student Robert Merton authored some of the most important statements on structural
functionalism in sociology (Tiryakian, 1991). Merton criticized some of the more extreme
and indefensible aspects of structural functionalism. But equally important, his new
conceptual insights helped to give structural functionalism a continuing usefulness.
Although both Merton and Parsons are associated with structural functionalism,
there are important differences between them. For one thing, while Parsons advocated
the creation of grand, overarching theories, Merton favoured more limited, middle-range
theories. For another, Merton and some of his students (especially Alvin Gouldner) can
be seen as having pushed structural functionalism more to the left politically.

Merton made it clear from the outset that structural functional analysis focuses
on groups, organizations, societies, and cultures. He stated that any object that can be
subjected to structural functional analysis must “represent a standardized (that is
patterned and repetitive) item” (Merton, 1949/1968:104). He had in mind such things
as “social roles, institutional patterns, social processes, cultural patterns, culturally
patterned emotions, social norms, group organization, social structure, devices for
social control, etc.” (Merton, 1949/1968:104)
Early structural functionalists tended to focus almost entirely on the functions
of one social structure or institution for another. However, in Merton’s view, early
analysts tended to confuse the subjective motives of individuals with the functions of
structures or institutions. The focus of the structural functionalist should be on social
functions rather than on individual motives. Functions, according to Merton, are defined
as “those observed consequences which make for the adaptation or adjustment of a
given system” (1949/1968:105). However, there is a clear ideological bias, when one
focuses only on adaptation or adjustment, for they are always positive consequences. It
is important to note that one social fact can have negative consequences for another
social fact. To rectify this serious omission in early structural functionalism, Merton
developed the idea of a dysfunction. Just as structures or institutions could contribute

48
 to the maintenance of other parts of the social system, they also could have negative
consequences for them.
Merton also posited the idea of nonfunctions, which he defined as consequences
that are simple irrelevant to the systems under consideration. Included here might be
social forms that are “survivals” from earlier historical times. Although they may have
had positive or negative consequences in the past, they have no significant effect on
contemporary society.
Merton also introduced the concepts of manifest and latent functions. These two
terms have also been important additions to functional analysis. In simple terms,
manifest functions are those that are intended, whereas latent functions are unintended.
As further clarification of functional theory, Merton pointed out that a structure
maybe dysfunctional for the system as a whole and yet may continue to exist; for
example, discrimination against females is generally functional for males. However,
these forms of discrimination are not without some dysfunctions, even for the group for
which they are functional. Males do suffer from their discriminatory against females.
One could argue that these forms of discrimination adversely affect those who
discriminate by keeping vast numbers of people underproductive and by increasing the
likelihood of social conflict.
Merton contended that not all structures are indispensable to the workings of the
social system. Some parts of our social system can be eliminated. This helps functional
theory overcome another of its conservative biases. By recognizing that some structures
are expendable, functionalism opens the way for meaningful social change. Our society,
for example, could continue to exist (and even be improved) by the elimination of
discrimination against various minority groups.
Merton’s clarifications are great utility to sociologists (for example, Gans, 1972)
who wish to perform structural functionalism analyses.

• Marxism
Marxism, a body of doctrine developed by Karl Marx and, to a lesser extent, by
Friedrich Engels in the mid-19th century. It originally consisted of three related ideas:
a philosophical anthropology, a theory of history, and an economic and political program.
There is also Marxism as it has been understood and practiced by the various socialist
movements, particularly before 1914.
The written work of Marx cannot be reduced to a philosophy, much less to a
philosophical system. The whole of his work is a radical critique of philosophy, especially
of G.W.F. Hegel’s idealist system and of the philosophies of the left and right post-
Hegelians. It is not, however, a mere denial of those philosophies. Marx declared that
philosophy must become reality. One could no longer be content with interpreting the
world; one must be concerned with transforming it, which meant transforming both the
world itself and human consciousness of it. This, in turn, required a critique of
experience together with a critique of ideas. In fact, Marx believed that all knowledge
involves a critique of ideas. He was not an empiricist. Rather, his work teems with
concepts (appropriation, alienation, praxis, creative labour, value, and so on) that he
had inherited from earlier philosophers and economists, including Hegel, Johann
Fichte, Immanuel Kant, Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and John Stuart Mill. What
uniquely characterizes the thought of Marx is that, instead of making abstract

49
 affirmations about a whole group of problems such as human nature, knowledge, and
matter, he examines each problem in its dynamic relation to the others and, above all,
tries to relate them to historical, social, political, and economic realities.
Raised to the level of historical law, this hypothesis was subsequently called
historical materialism. Marx applied it to capitalist society, both in Manifest der
kommunistischen Partei (1848; The Communist Manifesto) and Das Kapital (vol. 1,
1867; “Capital”) and in other writings. Although Marx reflected upon his working
hypothesis for many years, he did not formulate it in a very exact manner: different
expressions served him for identical realities. If one takes the text literally, social reality
is structured in the following way:
1. Underlying everything as the real basis of society is the economic structure.
This structure includes (a) the “material forces of production,” that is, the labour and
means of production, and (b) the overall “relations of production,” or the social and
political arrangements that regulate production and distribution. Although Marx stated
that there is a correspondence between the “material forces” of production and the
indispensable “relations” of production, he never made himself clear on the nature of
the correspondence, a fact that was to be the source of differing interpretations among
his later followers.

2. Above the economic structure rises the superstructure, consisting of legal and
political “forms of social consciousness” that correspond to the economic structure.
Marx says nothing about the nature of this correspondence between ideological forms
and economic structure, except that through the ideological forms individuals become
conscious of the conflict within the economic structure between the material forces of
production and the existing relations of production expressed in the legal property
relations. In other words, “The sum total of the forces of production accessible to men
determines the condition of society” and is at the base of society. “The social structure
and the state issue continually from the life processes of definite individuals . . . as they
are in reality, that is acting and materially producing.” The political relations that
individuals establish among themselves are dependent on material production, as are
the legal relations. This foundation of the social on the economic is not an incidental
point: it colours Marx’s whole analysis.

o Analysis of society
To go directly to the heart of the work of Marx, one must focus on his concrete
program for humanity. This is just as important for an understanding of Marx as are
The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital. Marx’s interpretation of human nature
begins with human need. “Man,” he wrote in the Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts
of 1844,

is first of all a natural being. As a natural being and a living natural being, he is
endowed on the one hand with natural powers, vital powers…; these powers exist in him
as aptitudes, instincts. On the other hand, as an objective, natural, physical, sensitive
being, he is a suffering, dependent and limited being…, that is, the objects of his instincts
exist outside him, independent of him, but are the objects of his need, indispensable and
essential for the realization and confirmation of his substantial powers.

50
 The point of departure of human history is therefore living human beings, who seek
to satisfy certain primary needs. “The first historical fact is the production of the means
to satisfy these needs.” This satisfaction, in turn, opens the way for new needs. Human
activity is thus essentially a struggle with nature that must furnish the means of
satisfying human needs: drink, food, clothing, the development of human powers and
then of human intellectual and artistic abilities. In this undertaking, people discover
themselves as productive beings who humanize themselves through their labour.
Furthermore, they humanize nature while they naturalize themselves. By their creative
activity, by their labour, they realize their identity with the nature that they master,
while at the same time, they achieve free consciousness. Born of nature, they become
fully human by opposing it. Becoming aware in their struggle against nature of what
separates them from it, they find the conditions of their fulfillment, of the realization of
their true stature. The dawning of consciousness is inseparable from struggle. By
appropriating all the creative energies, they discover that “all that is called history is
nothing else than the process of creating man through human labour, the becoming of
nature for man. Man has thus evident and irrefutable proof of his own creation by
himself.” Understood in its universal dimension, human activity reveals that “for man,
man is the supreme being.” It is thus vain to speak of God, creation, and metaphysical
problems. Fully naturalized, humans are sufficient unto themselves: they have
recaptured the fullness of humanity in its full liberty.

(From Henri Chambre, Professor, Institute of Social Studies, Catholic Institute of Paris,
1947–78. Associate Director of the Laboratory, College of France, Paris, 1968–73. Author
of De Karl Marx à Lénine et Mao Tsé-toung)
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Marxism

• Symbolic Interactionism
The idea of symbolic interactions was first crystalized in the work of George
Herbert Mead who coined the term symbolic interaction and is the foremost exponent
of the perspective. Symbolic interaction is a loosely structured cluster of fundamental
ideas, assumptions, or propositions about human beings in society. It is a perspective,
a point of view, which guides the way one sees the social world. It is frequently called a
perspective in social psychology. Symbolic interaction is a perspective on the social
world which focuses on interaction as the unit of study, and should be used to study
and to understand the larger social structure as well as the nature of individual
interactions.
Symbols refer to meanings. For symbolic interactions, things (objects, ideas,
beliefs, people, values, states of being) do not simply exist, they exist in the meanings
they have. What is meaning, how personal life takes on meaning, how meaning persists,
is transformed, lost, and regained—these are core questions for symbolic interactions.
Meanings are established in communication: hence the importance of interaction. Our
world exists in the meanings it has for us, and our meanings come from our interactions.
People, like meanings, exist in a social context.

51
o The Basic Premises
According to Blumer, symbolic interaction rests on three basic premises:
1. Human beings act toward things on the basis of the meanings the things have for
them.
2. The meanings of such things are derived from, or grow out of, social interaction.
3. These meanings are handled in and modified through an interpretative process used
by the person in dealing with the things he encounters.
o Mind
Mind is a process, not a thing, a process through which people carry on transactions
with their environment, and deal with their world. The mind works by making
indications to itself, that is, by noting things in the world. Mind is the symbolic
interaction the individual engages in with herself. People interact within themselves all
the time. This process is called self-indication—"a moving communicative process in
which the individual notes things, assesses them, gives them a meaning and decides to
act on the basis of the meaning.”
Related to the process of self-indication is the idea of conceptualizing. For the
symbolic interactionist, a concept is how we know an object. It is formed as the end
product of this process of making indications to ourselves and conceptualizing reality.
The concept serves three functions:
1. It introduces a new orientation or point of view.
2. It serves as a tool or as a means of transacting business with one’s
environment.
3. It makes possible deductive reasoning and so the anticipation of new
experience.

The judgments, the constructed perceptions, come from experience, and

experience is limited by environment. Environment is a social as well as a physical
construction. The society in which we live provides us with certain sensory experience
and ways of conceptualizing those experiences. People living in dense forests must see
space differently than people living on flat plains. And babies whose world is bounded
by ceiling must learn to see spaces differently than babies whose world is open to the
sky.
o Self
The self is a product of minded behavior. As a product, it is both a process and an
object, or more accurately, a process experienced as an object.
Selfhood is distinguished by the capacity to be an object to one’s self, to respond to one’s
self in the same way one responds to other subjects and individuals. For Mead, it is the
ability to experience one’s self as an object that is the hallmark of selfhood. But the self
is more than an object, it is also a process. As a social process within the individual, it
involves two phases: the I and the me. The I is constantly present in experience as that
which remembers, while the self it remembers is always a me. The I is the subjective
and the me is the objective aspects of the self.

o Society
“Human society” according to Blumer, “is seen as consisting of acting people, and the
life of the society is to be seen as consisting of their actions.” Shibutani said, “human
society might be best regarded as an ongoing process, a becoming rather than a being.”
52
 Social change is just inherent in the definition of society, because society is seen as
constantly undergoing organization and reorganization. “The arrangements that make
up society are constantly being ‘worked at’ by those who live within them; they are
constantly being arranged, modified, rearranged, sustained, defended and
undermined.”
o Socialization
Socialization, within the symbolic interactionist perspective, is an ongoing process.
People go through life seeing themselves as seen by others, and do sometimes take on
new others, or new reference groups. This new reference groups can give rise to new
views on self.
Adult socialization is a ubiquitous process, something made especially clear in complex
societies. Socialization into a new job, college, marriage, medical school, hospitals, and
old age homes, all these and many more situations, involves the reformulation of the
self. In some circumstances, especially within the context of the total institution, such
as the army, jail, or a mental hospital, this socialization can be so dramatic as to lead
to basic changes in individual conceptions of self. In the symbolic interactionist
perspective, the individual is, above all, an actor. Socialization is not the manipulation
or modification of the person, but the ongoing creation of the person, a creation in which
the individual is an active participant. The individual learns from her society. Minded
behavior the person the person to construct the society for herself. Creating constructs
and defining situations are also a way she can construct society for others.
o The Definition of Situation
“If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.” The statements
represent a dual focus in symbolic interaction: first, what goes into the definition of a
situation, that is, what are the processes involved in defining situations; and second,
what are the consequences of that socially defined situation.
Situations clarify or organize reality by providing people with categories of
meaning, for the things, people, and behavior to be found in the situation. Let us
consider some examples. First, what is a situation, and how does it order reality? If
you suddenly woke up to find yourself lying on a high bed in a pale green and white
room with only a metal chest of drawers with a plastic pitcher and drinking glass on
top. Where would you be? And if a doctor opened and a woman in a white dress holding
a clipboard under one arm walked in, who might she be? You are almost going to figure
yourself to be in a hospital, which means you must be sick, hurt, or damaged in some
way. Even if you felt no pain, you would probably begin exploring your body to find the
problem which must, you assume, have brought you here. You “recognize” the
situation: you take cues, put them together, and construct what “must” be going on.
And the person walking in? Knowing the situation, you know the probabilities: a doctor,
nurse, maybe a lab technician, or some other hospital staff member. If the same woman,
same costume, showed up somewhere else, say a dentist’s office, you would think she
is a dental hygienist, dentist, dental assistant perhaps. Thus, the situation provides
people with a way of ordering the social world and the other people in it. Some situations
are very clear, very conventional, or standard.

53
What Is More
Based on your understanding of what you have read in the preceding pages, you are
now ready to do the following activities as instructed.
Learning Task 5. A. The Organic Analogy
On a sheet of paper, draw a body then decide what function each body performs if it
represents a society. Be guided by the diagram. For additional insight, you may watch
the clip for not more than 3 minutes at
http://www.youtube.com/user/lizvoges1#p/u/16/Ri2lh6ZB4LU

Source:
https://image.slidesharecdn.com/sociologyexchangecouk-shared-resource4170-120627073037-
phpapp01/95/sociologyexchangecouk-shared-resource-8-728.jpg?cb=1340782274

54
 B. Take the Big Bag!

Look closely at the picture.

Analyze the picture then
explain what is depicted in
it.

➢ What theory is deemed

in the image?
➢ Name the two classes in
the society that you can see
in the image. Describe
them.
➢ Briefly discuss the
theory and its proponents
➢ Have you observed this
kind of conflict in the
society now-a-days?

Source: https://rdln.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/takethebigbag.jpg?w=233&h=300

C. The Tree

After a long and tiring day

and you see a big and shady
tree, how do you feel?

How do you see a tree after

having gone through a long
walk on a hot summer day?
Why?

Discuss your answer on a

separate sheet of paper

55
Source:https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-
C7Hg4y0UIBQ/V15216TdcLI/AAAAAAAALro/F1NY1_5doUYSmbelCvoDZAZhZpJDzwsVgCKgB/s1600/Mo
lave_tropical_theferns_info.jpg

Learning Task 7. In a Nutshell

Fill out the grid with concepts from the three approaches that were discussed

Functionalism Conflict Interactionism

Level of Analysis macro

Nature of Society Set of Interacting Social reality that is

Parts created and
recreated in social
interaction
Foundations of Conflict, coercion
Social Interactions and power
Focus of Study Social order Social conflict and
social change
Advantages Understanding of
human beings as
active agents in
human life
Disadvantages A weak
understanding of
social consensus
and social stability

Source:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ce/62/91/ce6291dfef3b5e50a7548cf6c26d7593.jpg

What I Have Learned

Learning Task 8. My Insights
This phase gives you the opportunity to express your insights about whatever you have
gained from the two weeks lesson.

Through the different approaches that were discussed in this module, I learned that
society is about
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_________.

This learning enabled me to become

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
56
Thus, I commit myself to
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.

What I Can Do
Learning Task 9. Play a Role
Read and analyze the scenario then share in writing what possible solutions can be
done based on the approaches that were discussed.

Scenario: You are the manager of production and operations of a multinational

company. You have learned from the spokesperson of the labor union of the company
that they plan to stage a strike against the management due to benefits and wage
concerns. This is clearly a matter of conflict between the workers and the
owners/management. However, there were some workers who do not wish to join
because of their personal reason. With this situation, there were some department
workers who do not wish to carry their usual tasks, thus affecting the efficiency of the
company.
With the three perspectives in mind, analyze the situation by considering the following:
Level of analysis, nature of society, foundations of social interactions, focus of study,
and the advantages and the disadvantages.
(You may refer to LT7.)

Assessment
Learning Task 10. On My Own
Read thoughtfully the situation then discuss your answer. Your answer will be grade
based on the rubric given.

1. Apply the perspective of symbolic interactionism on the use of social networking

sites and how one’s identity is presented on those sites.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. Analyze the impact of corruption on some government agencies and its toll on the
economic and political situation of the country. How would you apply the theory of
structural functionalism in your analysis of the Philippine society
today?_____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

57
__________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

3. Who are the bourgeoise and the proletariat of today? in this modern times? How can
you compare them with the capitalists (bourgeoise) and the workers (proletariat) in
Marxism’s
theory?_____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Rubrics for Assessment

Criteria Description Points Points
Obtained
Content The student was able to discuss 10
thoroughly the situation anchored on a
specific dominant approach
Analysis Analysis was clear and concise based on 6
the data presented
Organization The discussion was well-written, and 4
ideas are smoothly conveyed
Total 20

58
 Weeks

What I Need to Know 7-8

In this module, you will be introduced to six major social sciences ideas which are:
Psychoanalysis, Rational Choice Theory, Institutionalism, Feminist Theory,
Hermeneutical Phenomenology, and Human Environment Systems. Going through
the module, you will be tasked to analyze how these theories differ from one another in
their concepts and principles.
At the end of the module, you are expected to be able to:
MELC 5: Analyze the basic concepts and principles of the major social science
ideas
• Expound on the three components of human personality according to
Freud: the id, ego, and superego
• Describe consumer behavior based on the assumptions of Rational Choice
Theory
• Examine the constitutive nature of informal and formal institutions in
Institutionalism
• Root out the relationship between gender ideology and gender inequality
based on feminist theory
• Explain hermeneutics as a theory of text interpretation
• Distinguish the ways by which human-environment interactions shape
cultural and natural landscapes
• Evaluate the strengths of and criticisms of the major social sciences
ideas/theories

What I Know
Learning Task 1: Mind’s Eye
Organize the concepts listed down below under the appropriate heading in the
grid.

gender ideology Hermes superego landscape

mental map Freud gender historicality
context dowry traffic rules Dasein
conditioning rational phenomenon money

Psychoanalysis Rational Institutionalism Feminism Hermeneutical Human-

Choice Phenomenology Environment
Systems

61
What is In
Learning Task 2. I Recall

Let us look back at the lesson that you have worked on in the last module. Can you still
recall? To help you connect this to the present lesson, answer the brief task. Carefully
read each statement then tell whether what the statement says is True or False.
1. ____________ Structural Functionalism sees society as a complex system whose
parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.
2. _____________ Symbolic Interactionism is a social science approach which depends
on the symbolic meaning developed by people in the process of interaction.
3. ____________ Marxism is a social science approach that is associated with conflict
theory.
4. _____________ Marxism views social order as being a product of coercion and power
exercised by a more powerful group to the disadvantaged group
5. ____________ Structural Functionalism refers to the viewpoint that institutions in a
society are parts of a whole, each with important functions to maintain social stability.

What is New
Learning Task 3: Say Something
Write at least three words that you can think of about the picture. Write them
on the space provided for.

https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.AfPfQInVuSpwzLIwK34QkgHaIP&pid=Api&P=0&w=300&h=300

https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.QFPp1ditfQ92taQ15dpTwQHaHa&pid=Api&P=0&w=300&h=300

____________________________________ ____________________________________

____________________________________ ____________________________________

____________________________________ ____________________________________

62
 https://libraryofprofessionalcoaching.com/wp-app/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/002qq-850x491.jpg

https://64dollarquestion.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/downloadfile-11896010240968370410.jpg
____________________________________ _________________________________

____________________________________ __________________________________

https://static.vecteezy.com/system/resources/previews/000/554/314/original/green-energy-and-save-environment-
concept-human-head-with-brain-man-and-dog-are-running-in-city-parks-creating-a-new-idea-background-vector.jpg
https://cardinaldirections.weebly.com/uploads/6/2/6/8/6268585/4307359.png?411

____________________________________ ________________________________

____________________________________ ________________________________
63
Processing Questions:

1. What do you feel about the activity?

2. What helps you come up with three words to say something about the picture? Do
you think you have come up with the appropriate word for each picture? Why?
3. Can you identify the different major social science theories based on the given
pictures?

What is It
Learning Task 4. Read Me
Read the text thoroughly.

• PSYCHOANALYSIS
Psychoanalysis can be described in two ways: first,
it is a comprehensive theory about human nature,
drive, actions, growth, and experience. Second, it also Oedipus complex refers to
a male child’s sexual
refers to a method of treatment for psychological
feeling s of jealousy and
problems and challenges in living a successful life,
anger towards his father.
(APsaA). Psychoanalysis, which traces its roots to
The boy resolves his desire
psychologist Sigmund Freud, means “analysis of the for his mother through
mind”. It came from the word psychoanalyse, coined in fear of castration from his
French by Freud in 1896 from Latinized form of Greek father.
psyche, which means mental, plus German analyses, Electra complex refers to a
from Greek analysis. Freud used psychische analyse in girl’s feelings of desire for her
1894. It began as Freud’s approach to counseling and father and jealousy of her
psychotherapy and is considered a time-consuming mother.
approach which can involve 4 one-hour sessions each
week over a period of several years. Psychoanalysis has Penis envy is the female
been used as a social science approach as early as the counterpart to Freud’s
twentieth century and is sometimes considered as the castration complex. It refers
only school of psychology that paints a complete and to a girl’s distancing herself
dynamic picture of personality. Psychoanalysis as a from her mother and
social science approach liberates people by acquiring devoting attention to her
consciousness of the unconscious. By making father after realizing that she
conscious of the unconscious, people will understand has no penis, concluding that
why they behave in a certain way or why they hold she is in a disadvantageous
certain values and beliefs. position, blaming her mother
o Historical Context for her misfortune.
Psychoanalaysis began with Sigmund Freud when
he broadened his practice from medicine to
psychiatry in 1882 (Nystul,1999). He was
influenced by Joseph Breuer, a prominent Viennese
physician who believed that a client can be helped by simply talking about
64
his or her problem, also known as the talking cure. Experiencing serious
emotional problems himself, he engaged in extensive self-analysis. From
his self- analysis he was able to develop theories such as the Oedipus
complex, the Electra complex, and penis envy among others.
o Key Concepts in Psychoanalysis
In Freud’s theory of personality, central to which is the structure of the
personality such as the id, ego, and superego. The id serves as the
original system of the personality. It is considered as the pool of psychic
energy from which the energy from the ego and the superego emerge. It is
referred to as the self-gratifying branch of the personality in that it is
driven by the pleasure principle, which attempts to reduce tension by
satisfaction of sexual and aggressive impulses. The ego is referred to as
the decision-making branch of the personality. It is ruled by the reality
principle in that it attempts to exert a sensible influence over the id and
the superego. The superego, on the other hand, is referred to as the
discriminating branch of the personality in the sense that it is concerned
with moralistic issues deciding what is right or wrong. According to Freud,
the key to a healthy personality is a balance between the id, ego, and
superego.
Id vs. Superego and Ego: I want to steal
Superego to Id: You should not steal because it is wrong.

Ego to Id: You will go to jail.

o Thinker and His Contributions

Sigmund Freud - Sigmund Freud was born on May 6, 1856 in Frieberg,
Moravia, now a part of the Czech Republic. He moved with his family to
Leipzig at the age of three and then to Vienna. He stayed for almost 80
years, when the Nazi invasion in 1938 forced him to move to London. He
stayed in England until his death in 1939. He learned the hypnotic
technique from Jean-Martin Charcot, a famous French neurologist when
they studied together in Paris through a grant from the University of Vienna
in 1885. From his personal friend, Joseph Breuer, he learned about
catharsis, a method of removing hysterical symptoms through
“talking them out”. In the 1890s, he practiced self-analysis and began
analyzing his dreams until he completed his greatest work, The
Interpretation of Dreams, in 1900. Despite having jaw cancer, he was able
to maintain an active professional life, filling 24 volumes of collective
works.
o Psychoanalysis: Strengths and Criticisms
One of the strengths of Psychoanalysis is that it made the case study
method popular in the social sciences, especially in Psychology. It is also
65
 being credited for highlighting the importance of childhood in personality
development. It also provides the foundation for the new psycho-therapy
techniques which continues to be a revolutionary theory. More so, it can
be applied in a practical way and its micro level analysis of how human
behavior can be explained by the hidden forces in the unconscious
provides an explanation on social behavior.
As for the criticisms, critics consider it too subjective, cannot generalize
for a larger population. It is also seen as being too deterministic, focusing
on the hidden forces that dominate people to behave the way they do. It
is limited in terms of a cross-cultural perspectives and downplays the role
of sociocultural forces in human functioning. Critics also consider its lack
of empirical evidence to support the theory’s complex nature as one of its
weaknesses, and its reliance on therapeutic achievements makes it less
credible in the scientific community.

Did you Know?

Another contribution of Freud to psychology was the concept called Freudian slip, or an error
in speech, memory or physical action that is interpreted as occurring due to intrusion of an
unconscious restrained wish, conflict, or general idea guided by the go, and the rules of proper
conduct.

• RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

Rational means people act based on or in accordance with reason or logic
while choice refers to an act of selecting or making a decision when faced
with two or more possibilities. When applied to economics, this means
that people estimate the probable costs and benefits of any action before
deciding what to do. In political theory, it is built on the two-fold initial
beliefs that explaining individual behavior is the key to understanding the
functioning of political institutions. When applied to social interaction, it
takes the form of exchange theory. In general, rational choice is used to
predict social consequences of decision-making based on scarcity.
o Historical Context
The beginnings of the foundations of rational choice can be traced to the
age of reason (Oppenheimer,2008). In Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, (1651),
he tried to explain the basic functioning of political institutions through
individual choices which came from universally held desires and dislikes.
Meanwhile, Adam Smith asserted that “it is not from the benevolence of
the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from
regard to their own interest.” In the 1960s, George Homans was credited
for establishing rational choice in sociology when he formulated a basic
framework of exchange theory which was grounded from assumptions
drawn from behaviorist psychology. Rational choice has been used to

66
explain themes such as voting, coalition formation, ethnic relations, social
mobility, class reproduction, crime, and marriage.

o Key Concepts in Rational Choice Theory

According to Green & Shapiro (1994), there are basic assumptions of
rational choice theory such as utility maximization, structure of
preferences, decision making under conditions of uncertainty, and the
centrality of individuals in the explanation of collective outcomes.
Utility maximization refers to patterns of behaviors in societies wherein
the choices made by individuals are governed by maximization of benefits
and minimization of costs. Structure of preferences refers to the idea that
people are motivated by their personal desires and aspirations but since it
is not possible for them to attain all of the things that they want, they must
make choices related to their goals and the means for attaining those goals.
According to British sociologist, John Scott, in rational choice theory
individuals must predict the outcomes of alternative courses of action and
calculate which will be best for them (Scott, 2000). For Homans, human
behavior is identical with animal behavior in that both are not free but
determined. They are both shaped by rewards and punishments
encountered. The determining factor in human behavior is reinforcement
through rewards and punishments also known as conditioning.

Decision making under conditions of uncertainty means that each

individual takes full advantage of the likely worth of his own pay off.
Decision making according to rational choice, often takes place under
conditions of uncertainty since the focus is on the expected rather than the
actual usefulness. According to Homans (1961), “no exchange continues
unless both parties are making a profit.”

Centrality of individuals in the explanation of group outcomes means

that rational choice theorists believe that it is by reference to the
maximizing actions of individuals that group outcomes must be explained.
Social phenomena can be explained in terms of the individual actions that
led to those phenomena. This means that the basic unit of social life is
individual human deed. In general, rational choice assumes that its models
apply equally to all people, that the choices, rules, and likings are constant
over time and akin among people. Rationality, there fore is homogenous.

o Thinkers and their Contributions

Gary Becker- Gary Becker was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He died
in Chicago, Illinois on May 3, 2014 at 83 years old. His major contribution
was perhaps the ability for having extended the realm of microeconomic
investigation to a broad extent of human behavior and interaction such as

67
 discrimination, crime and punishment, human capital, families, and
organ market. For that, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1992.

George Homans – George Homans was considered as the pioneer of

rational choice theory. He was the great-great-great grandson of John
Quincy Adams (the 6th president of the United States). His theoretical
contribution was the formation of a more integrated social science on a
firm theoretical basis and developed the deductive and inductive
approaches to theory. His Exchange Theory was believed to have derived
from both psychology and the elementary economics. His exchange theory
posits the belief that individual beings and behavior are pertinent to
comprehending society, that is, people will perform an action depending
on their insight of the likelihood of success.

o Rational Choice Theory: Strengths and Criticisms

One of the strengths of rational choice theory is generality. It is the
assumption that one set of hypotheses apply to all sets of structural
hypotheses, that it is the most general theory of social action which can be
used to understand all human behavior (Ogu, 2013). Another strength
would be parsimony, a principle to which an explanation of a thing or event
is made with the fewest possible assumptions. Rational choice theory is
also seen as predictive, that decisions of individuals depend on the
structures and assumptions.

As for the weaknesses, one issue would be the difficulty encountered by

individuals to make decisions in case of inadequate information and
uncertainty. Furthermore, human social action and interactions are
complex and rational choice theory may not be able to explain all of these
complexities. Another weakness would be the difficulty of explaining
macro level structures and institutions simply from the models of
individual social action. Lastly, the rational choice assumption that almost
everything humans do is rational is problematic, since not all human
actions are rational.
• INSTITUTIONALISM
Institutionalism is an approach that highlights the roles of the institutions,
both formal and informal. It was a reaction to prevailing strands of
thought in the late 19th century that ignored institutions, historical
context, and practice that gave way to wide-ranging hypothesizing. It is a
theory that views institutions as humanly devised constraints that
structure political, economic, and social interactions. Within New
Institutionalism, distinctions between the macro and micro level of this
theory has been emphasized. Old Institutionalism concentrates on state
or government and how its various laws are implemented to citizens. While

68
Old Institutionalism focused on how formal institutions constraints
human behavior, New Institutionalism recognizes the importance of both
formal and informal institutions in shaping social behavior. Historical
institutionalism uses institutions to find cycles of social, political, and
economic behavior and change across time. In the Philippines, the
historical institutionalist approach can be utilized in examining the role of
the state as being structurally unable to provide genuine democracy to the
Filipino people as it is still controlled by the political and economic elites,
making it challenging to broaden political participation and making
equitable distribution of resources impossible.
o Historical Context
The American economist and sociologist Thorstein Veblen was a leading
figure who described the neoclassical approach as being too focused on
individuals when Institutionalism made its debut during the late 19th and
early 20th century. In the mid-20th century, institutionalism found its way
to anthropology through the works of Karl Polanyi, who argued that
economic interactions are historically dependent and can only be
understood in terms of their social context. Institutionalism made its
appearance in political science through Carl Friedrich. Institutionalism
also made its way to sociology through Chester Irving Bernard.

In the 1980s, studies in social structures paved the way for a resurgence
of interest in institutions and the appearance of New Institutionalism as
initiated by political scientists James March and Johan Olsen.

o Key Concepts in Institutionalism

Some key concepts in institutionalism are institutions, formal
institutions, and informal institutions. Institutions are often referred
to as the “rules of the game” (North, 1991). They are humanly devised
constraints that affect human interaction, devised by people to be able to
gain control over their environment for the purpose of bringing certainty
in an uncertain world. They maybe divided into formal and informal
institutions. Informal institutions refer to rules governing behavior
outside official channels (or formal institutions such as the government
and the church) which may have constitutive and regulative effects.
Formal institutions, on the other hand, refer to those officially established,
often by governments. They are legally introduced and enforced by the
state.

69
 INSTITUTIONS
Humanly devised constraints that affect human behavior

types of institutions

Formal Institutions
Informal Institutions
Legally introduced and
Rules outside official channels
enforced by the state
examples
money dowry

Traffic rules Arranged marriages

holidays Tipping

Labor unions Filial piety

Figure 5.1: Key Concepts in Institutionalism

Formal and informal institutions not only constraints but also

enable human behavior such as choices and actions that otherwise would
not exist without the rules imposed by the institutions (Hodgson, 2006).
o Thinkers and their Contributions
Johan Olsen – He was born on August 14, 1939 in Norway. He is one of
the developers of the systematic-anarchic perspective of organizational
decision-making known as garbage Can Model. He is a prominent thinker
and writer on a wide variety of topics such as new institutionalism and
Europenization.

Max Weber - He was born on April 21, 1864 in Erfurt, Prussia (present day
Germany). In 1903, he resigned from teaching and became the associate
editor of the Archives for Social Sciences and Social Welfare where his
interest lied in more fundamental issues of social sciences. He died on
June 14, 1920. Some of his notable works are: The Protestant Ethic and
the Spirit of Capitalism, 1904; The City, 1912; The Sociology of
Religion,1922; General Economic History, 1923; and The Theory of Social
and Economic Organization, 1925.

70
 James March – He was born in 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio. He is best known
for his research on organization and organizational decision making.
Together with Olsen, he launched new or neo-institutionalism in 1984 as
a reaction against various reductionist approaches that attempt to explain
how non-political factors affect the operation of political institutions.

o Institutionalism: Strengths and Criticisms

New Institutionalism has often been classified into three school of
thought –rational choice institutionalism, historical institutionalism, and
sociological institutionalism (Bethani, 2011).
One of the strengths of rational choice institutionalism would be its
emphasis on the role of deliberate interaction in determining political
results. It also explains how institutions originate, explaining the
functions they perform and the benefits they provide. It is being criticized
however, for its claim that rationality is the basic factor of human choice
in all undertakings.
Sociological institutionalism’s strength lies in its broader definition of
institutions that involves formal and informal rules, norms, and
conventions. It claims that formal and informal institutions comprise
actors which in turn shape the way they view the world. Its weakness
seems to be its focus on macro-level analysis.
Historical institutionalism’s strength also lies in its broader definition
of institutions which includes both formal and informal ones, and its focus
on the effect of institutions over time. Its weakness lies on its inability to
offer a refined comprehension of how institutions affect human behavior
(Bethani, 2011).

• FEMINIST THEORY
Basically, feminism promotes the belief that women and men should be
treated equally and that steps have to be taken to realize the goal of gender
equality. Feminist theory as an approach is still considered by some as
being in the developmental stage compared to other theoretical approaches
in social sciences. Almost all feminist research is undertaken by women
who espouse a feminist perspective and use a feminist methodology by
letting women be heard and rectify male-oriented view that most feminist
research is sexist, favoring men over women, because of cultural beliefs
and the prevalence of male researchers.
o Historical Context
Women have been fighting for their rights to achieve equal status with
men as early as the 19th century. The so-called first wave feminism was
characterized by initiatives taken by women to fight for women suffrage or
the right to vote and be educated, labor rights and other privileges.

71
 The second wave feminism in the 1960s was characterized by the so
called women’s liberation. In this period, feminists realized that the gains
of first wave feminism were not enough. Second wave feminism realized
that giving women the right to vote was not enough to solve the problem
of women’s oppression. The goal of second wave feminism was women’s
liberation and not merely political emancipation.

There are dominant feminist theories that emerged out of the feminist
discourse, some of which are liberal feminism, socialist feminism, and
radical feminism.

Liberal feminism is the oldest of all feminist theories, dating back to

the 19th century and advocated for political and social rights for women.
Socialist feminism was born in the 20th century, which served as a
critique of Marxist feminism’s gender-blind approach to women’s
subordination by emphasizing that other factors such as race, age,
religion, ethnicity, and disability need to be considered in analyzing
women’s oppression.

Radical feminists believe that women’s oppression is the most basic

feature of society and all other forms of oppression are only secondary,
and that biology is destiny: women, by virtue of their physical make-up,
are meant to be oppressed that is why patriarchy must be abolished by
liberating women from male domination.

These feminist theories differ in their analyses of the cause of women’s

subordination as well as the strategies for women’s emancipation.

o Key Concepts in Feminist Theory

It is important to understand the concepts of sex, gender, gender ideology,
and gender oppression. Sex refers to the biological differences between
males and females while gender, refers to the sociocultural attributes
associated with being a man and a woman and the different roles that
society assigns to men and women. Gender ideology refers to attitudes
regarding the suitable roles, rights, and responsibilities of men and women
in society. It legitimizes gender inequality, or the unequal treatment or
perceptions of individuals based on their gender. Gender inequality leads
to gender oppression, or the manner in which certain groups are
privileged or disadvantaged because of gender.

For example, because of the gender ideology that men should be

breadwinners and women should stay at home to take care of the family,
married women who work outside the home usually earn much lower than
their male counterparts and they usually land jobs which are seen as
72
extension of their work at home (teaching, caring of the sick, and domestic
chores, among others).
o Thinkers and their Contributions

Mary Wollstonecraft – A social theorist and feminist from the United

Kingdom. Her feminist view was based on reason and equality. In 1972,
she published “A Vindication of the Rights of Women” which became a
ground-breaking work in feminism. She believed that women should be
educated in order to achieve a sense of self-worth.

Betty Friedan – She was considered the mother of women’s liberation. Her
work, The Feminine Mystique stimulated the emergence of second wave
feminism. She was born in Illinois to Jewish parents. In 1966, she founded
the National Organization of Women (NOW) and became its first president.
She died at the age of 85 of congestive heart failure in 2006.
In her book, The Feminine Mystique (1963), Friedan explained how
female domesticity causes a sense of frustration and despair among
women. She labeled this phenomenon as “the problem with no name” the
unhappiness many women experienced as a result of being confined to the
roles of homemaker and mother.

Simone de Beauvoir – She was a French novelist, playwright, and social

critic who taught philosophy at the Sorbonne and later became an
independent writer and social theorist. Her book, The Second Sex (1949),
intensified the issue of gender politics, foretelling the themes later
developed by radical feminists. She stressed that women’s subordination
was caused by social, not natural factors, thus her classic line “women are
made, not born.”

o Feminism Theory: Strengths and Criticisms

One of the strengths of feminist theory is its recognition that social science
research in the past was predominantly conducted by men and focused on
men; hence analyses made were not inclusive of women. Another strength
would be the realization that both the public (production) and private
(reproduction) spheres of life are socially constructed. Lastly, feminist
theory can be utilized using both macro and micro analysis of society; it
focuses on how institutions and structures became patriarchal, how they
result to gender inequality, and how it can be challenged to promote
gender equality (macro); and it also sees society as being the product of
human activity (micro).
As for the criticism, critics claim that feminists tend to be too
disapproving of the gender roles women play in society, to the point that
they already look down on these roles (such as the radical feminist view
that motherhood is a forced labor). Another criticism would be the view
73
 that certain strands of feminism cater only to the middleclass women
(such as liberal feminism) for its seeming lack of analysis of issues on race
and class as factors in shaping gender inequality. Lastly, feminist theory
is seen by some critics as being too focused on women, ignoring the fact
that men can also experience discrimination and oppression in their daily
lives.

• HERMENEUTICAL PHENOMENOLOGY
Hermeneutics refers to the art of understanding and the theory of
interpretation while phenomenology means the science of phenomena.
Hermeneutics means “to interpret” and the term came from the name of
Hermes, the wing-footed messenger of gods in Greek mythology.
Hermeneutic phenomenology came up out of German philosophy and aims
to reveal the life world or human experiences as it lived. It advocates the
idea that instead of simply one truth as conceived by the scientist, there
are in fact, many truths. Hermeneutics, therefore, means the process of
making the incomprehensible understandable.
Meanwhile, phenomenology becomes hermeneutical when its
method takes an interpretive instead of solely descriptive in nature. Every
description is always ready interpretation; to understand is already to
interpret, and every mode of human knowledge is interpretive.
Understanding is already a form of interpretation. This approach asserts
that meanings are not straightforwardly handed down to us, and we must
use hermeneutics to understand human actions and behavior.

HERMENEUTICS PHENOMENOLOGY
Art of understanding and The study of experience and
theory of interpretation how we experience

HERMENEUTIC PHENOMENOLOGY
Concerned with human experience as it is lived

Figure 5.2 Hermeneutics and Phenomenology Defined

o Historical Context
Hermeneutics is a broad discipline that includes communication, both
verbal and non-verbal. It came out as a theory of human
understanding beginning in the late 18th and early 19th centuries
through the works of German theologian, biblical scholar, and
74
philosopher Friedrich Schleiermacher and German historian,
psychologist, sociologist, and hermeneutic philosopher Wilhelm
Dilthey.
Edmund Husserl, a German philosopher, is the father of
phenomenology who criticized psychology for applying methods of the
natural sciences to human issues, thus paving the way for the
beginnings of phenomenology. His focus was on the world as lived by
a person, not the world or reality as something separate from the
person.
Martin Heidegger, a disciple of Husserl, started hermeneutical
phenomenology. Hermeneutical phenomenology emphasizes the
instructive facts and minor aspects within experience that are often
taken for granted in everyday lives, hoping to create meaning and
obtain a sense of understanding. While Husserl focused on
understanding beings or phenomena, Heidegger focused on Dasein or
“the mode of being human,” or the authentic human being.
Hans-Georg Gadamer extended Heidegger’s work into practical
application. He agreed with Heidegger that language and
understanding always go together as structural aspects of human
“being-in-the-world.” Gadamer believes that language is the
widespread medium for understanding to happen, and understanding
takes place in interpreting. He considers interpretation as a “fusion of
horizons,” a dialectical interaction between the expectation of the
interpreter and the meaning of the text.

o Key Concepts in Hermeneutic Phenomenology

Individual background is important as it affects interpretation. This is
referred to as historicality, which is a person’s history or background
that includes what one receives from culture since birth and passed on
from generation to generation, offering ways of understanding the
world. In order to fully understand one’s historicality, it is also
significant to have a grasp of the concept of preunderstanding, which
refers to a meaning or organization of a culture that are already there
before we understand. This organization of a culture becomes part of
our historicality of background. It is not something a person can set
aside, for it is understood as already part of us in the world. Meaning
is brought into being as we are constructed by the world; while
simultaneously this world is being constructed by us from our own
setting and experience.

75
 o Thinkers and their Contributions

Martin Heidegger – He was born in 1889 in Germany. His interest in

philosophy came at the age of 17 after reading the book On the Manifold
Meaning of Being according to Aristotle, which made a lasting
impression on him. He became Husserl’s assistant until in 1922 he was
appointed as an associate professor at the University of Marburg where
he pursued his studies in Aristotle. In 1927, he published his major
work, Being and Time, and in 1928, he was chosen as Husserl’s
successor as chair of philosophy at Freiburg. He died in 1976 at the
age of 86.

Hans-Georg Gadamer - He was Heidegger’s student who was also a

proponent of hermeneutical phenomenology. According to Gadamer,
methodical reflection is opposite to experience and contemplation. We
can arrive at the truth only by understanding or mastering our
experience. Our understanding is always changing and signifying new
viewpoints. What is important is to disclose the character of individual
understanding.

o Hermeneutical Phenomenology: Strengths and Criticisms

Hermeneutical Phenomenology allows the experiences of people to be
presented in a straightforward and suggestive manner, giving the
reader an opportunity to imaginatively take part into the experiences
described. Through this approach, readers are given the chance to
intensify their understanding of the intricacies of experiences as
actually lived by people. It also serves as a vehicle for readers to reflect
on the meaning of the experiences described, reminding them that
experiences are far more complicated than we actually think.
Those who refuse to use hermeneutic phenomenology as an
approach claims that its focus on experience unique to the individuals
and to their context makes it hard to generalize for a larger population.
It is also criticized for its findings which, because of their subjectivity
and specifity, cannot be used as a basis for policy one of frameworks.
Its micro level analysis is also cited as one of its weaknesses since it
focuses on individual experiences and not on the effects of structures
on individual’s understanding and interpretation of their experiences.
• HUMAN ENVIRONMENT SYSTEMS
It is also known as environmental social science, sustainability science,
and coupled human natural systems research/coupled human and
natural system (CHANS), refer to an integrated science agenda for studying
the border and mutual interactions that link human to natural sub-
systems of the planet. According to world-renowned social anthropologist

76
Emilio Moran, it is a cross-disciplinary venture based on the belief that
social and natural systems are inseparable. It builds on the discipline of
human ecology, ecological anthropology, environmental geography,
economics and other fields. It deals with broader studies into the intricate
nature of mutual interactions and feedbacks between humans on the
environment and the effect of the environment on humans. It is a
collaborative work between scientists and social scientists working on the
interactions between humans and the environment (Moran, 2010).
o Historical Context
Research about global environment change until 1988 was carried out by
earth science disciplines such as meteorology, atmospheric chemistry,
atmospheric sciences, and geology. From 1987 to 1990 a Special
Committee was tasked to initiate the planning and implementation of the
program, and in 1988 this team, composed of around 500 scientists
turned to social scientists and asked them to collaborate in an effort to
understand the human dimensions of global environmental change. In
1992, they were able to publish the book, Global Environmental Change:
Understanding the Human Dimensions, which set the tone for research in
this area. It focused on climate change, biodiversity, pollution, and
international environmental driven by a rising awareness of global impacts
such as build-up of earth-warming gases, the increasing amount of
ultraviolet radiation due to the change in the appearance of ozone layer,
and proof of glacier meltdowns. Because of these global changes, human-
environment research became important (Moran,2010).
o Key Concepts in Human Environment Systems
Landscape is an important concept in the study of coupled human-
environment systems. It includes physical features such as rivers, hills,
forests, and soils as well as human-made buildings, roads, bridges, and
mines. The concept of landscapes refers to both human and non-human
phenomena, stressing the idea that in reality it is impossible to absolutely
separate the human from non human. A good example of a landscape is
our very own Banaue Rice Terraces, showing a closely-joined human
environment system: the Ifugaos built terraces because the environment
was hilly (impact of environment on humans); the terrace structure itself
makes crops easier to harvest by hand (impact of humans on
environment).
Another important concept is feedback mechanism, which refers to the
phenomenon of system components both affecting each other and which
creates a feedback loop: feedback is effect to a system component that is
a result of an action done by that component. In human-environment
systems, humanity affects the environment, and the environment affects
humanity; but if the environment affects humanity, then that can in turn
affect how humanity affects the environment. There are two types of
feedback: the positive feedback (a condition in which carrying out an
77
action causes more performances of the action); and negative feedback ( a
condition in which carrying out an action causes fewer performances of
the action.
Sustainability is another key concept in human-environment systems. It
refers to the ability for something to be maintained. It is the capacity of a
system to maintain its health and continue in existence over a period of
time. When applied to human environment systems, sustainability limits
human goals and material aspirations because it requires that production
does a little damage as possible to the delicate global ecosystem. Concepts
related to it are carrying capacity, resilience, and stability.

o Thinkers and their Contributions

Carl Sauer – a famous geographer, encouraged environmental thinkers to
study the humanized environment, or the idea that the environment is
influenced by human activity, in terms of landscapes during the early and
the mid-twentieth century. He described the process of landscape
creation as always in progress and must be seen in historical terms. He
imagined a landscape being altered through time from its natural form into
a “cultural landscape” through the influence of human technologies and
economies.

Donald Meinig – an American geographer whose research interests

include historical geography, cultural geography, social geography, and
landscape interpretation. He believes that any landscape is composed
not only of what we see, but what we know. It means that our own
interpretations of landscapes are shaped by our own preferences, needs,
and experiences.
o Human -Environment Systems: Strengths and Criticisms
One of the strengths of human-environment systems is that it brings
together scholars from the fields of the science and social science to
analyze the role of people in global environmental changes and
consequently determine what people can do to promote sustainability and
prevent environmental degradation.

It can also utilize a macro-level analysis by understanding how the

environment affects people, and micro-level analysis by determining how
people affect the environment. Finally, human-environment research
findings can be used as framework in policy making which might affect
results and favor sustainability of human-environment interactions.

As for the criticisms, it requires bringing together a large team of scholars,

scientists as well as social scientists, which is not an easy thing to do given
the fact that most scholars prefer to work alone than in teams. Critics
also argue that a weakness human environment systems research has to
78
 face is the idea of multi-nationality—meaning there must be a comparative
research wherein one must collect analogous data in a number of nations
or regions so as to test the variety of biophysical and social processes,
otherwise one is more likely to assume that what applies in one country
applies to all countries.

What is More?
Learning Task 5. What Am I
Identify the concept being described in the following statements. Choose your
answer from wordpool in the box.

1. A critical method of inquiry that attempts to

a. defense mechanism unveil surface illusions to expose the real structures
b. critical social science in the material world
c. Freudian slip 2. Belief that woman and men should be treated
equally
d. alienation
3. The idea that myth and illusion cover objective
e. feminism
reality
f. First wave feminism
4. Characterized by the initiatives taken by women
g. false consciousness
to fight for women suffrage
h. Classical Marxism 5. Refers to the phenomenon of system components
i. sustainability both impacting each other
j. feedback mechanism 6. Refers to a philosophy of history that explains
k. historicality why communism is destined to replace capitalism
l. Dasein 7. The capacity of a system to maintain its health
m. Hermeneutic and continue in existence over a period of time
Phenomenology 8. An error in speech, memory, or physical action
n. Rational Choice Theory that is interpreted as occurring due to interference of
o. conditioning an unconscious subdued wish, conflict, or train of
p. centrality of individuals thought
q. institutions 9. Separation from one’s true or necessary nature
r. institutionalism 10. Develops unconsciously when the ego feels
s. formal institutions threatened by an endopsychic conflict
t. psychoanalysis 11. It is concerned with making the unconscious
conscious in order to understand how people behave
in society
12. These are often referred to as the “rules of the game”
13. It highlights the role of institutions both formal and informal, affecting
social behavior

14. These refer to those officially established, often by governments

15. This refers to a person’s history or background
16. The mode of being human
79
17. It is concerned only with human experience as it is lived
18. A complex social phenomena can be explained in terms of the elementary
individual actions of which they are composed
19. The determining factor in human behavior is reinforced through rewards
and punishments
20. It is the belief that it is by reference to the maximizing actions of
individuals that group outcomes must be explained
Learning Task 6. The Glacier

Study the image carefully. Try to

briefly discuss Freud’s
psychoanalytic theory based on the
three components of personality as
illustrated in the picture.

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

https://pm1.narvii.com/5781/3f5d579f87c1ef0c31ee6a4b2e7f40045dfd927e_hq.jpg

Learning Task 7. Rational Couple

Read the text thoughtfully then be able to describe Carlos or Laura as
consumers on the premise of Rational Choice Theory

Carlos is currently engaged with Laura. They are both looking for a nice
apartment to rent so they can move together after they get married. They have
seen five different options; each of them with several advantages and
disadvantages. Carlos thinks the best choice is a small apartment located in the
town proper close to where he works. Laura, on the other hand, believes the best
place is the one located somewhere far from the town proper, since it is much
bigger than the apartment type as she is thinking of having children in the
future.

80
Learning Task 8. Institutions in a Graph
Present the given data in a graph showing the constitutive interaction of
Institutionalism; informal institutions, formal institutions; laws, business
corporations, labor unions, religious organizations, courtship and marriage,
tipping, triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13), filial piety

Learning Task 9. My Say

Discuss briefly your answer to the following questions/statements:

1. What relationship can you root out between gender ideology and gender
inequality based on Feminism theory?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Explain hermeneutics as a theory of text interpretation.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What are the ways by which human-environment interactions shape
cultural and natural landscapes?

81
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Choose at least three from the six major theories that were discussed in this
module. Evaluate their strengths and criticisms. Fill out the grid.

Theories / Approaches Strengths Criticisms

1.

2.

3.

What I Have Learned

Learning Task 10. I Ponder
This phase gives you the opportunity to express your insights about whatever
you have gained from the three-week lesson.

Through the different approaches that were discussed in this module, I learned
that society is about
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________.

This learning enabled me to become

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________
Thus, I commit myself to
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

82
What I Can Do
Learning Task 11. My cause
Based on the different approaches that you have learned in this module, what
do you think are the causes of the following social issues indicated in the grid
below.
Social Issues Causes
1. Climate Change

2. COVID 19

3. Domestic Violence
Against Women
4. Religion/Spiritual
Affiliation

Assessment
Learning Task 12. On My Own
Listen to the song, “Payag” by Gloc9. Analyze its lyrics by relating it to the
theory/ theories that were discussed in this module. You may underscore the
terms and concepts of the theory/theories that bear significance to your
analysis. Write your analysis on a separate sheet of paper.
Be guided by the rubric.

Rubric for Analysis Paper

Criteria Description Points Points
Obtained
Content The student was able to analyze the 10
song in relation to some theories
Analysis Analysis was clear and concise; 6
underscored with terms and concepts
Organization The paper was well-organized with 4
ideas easily conveyed to the readers
Total 20

83
References
Jose, M.D. and Ong, Jerome, 2016. Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences, Vibal
Group, Inc., Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/sunray-across-green-grass-field-1237107/ (picture)

Department of Education-Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR), 2017.

Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue,
Pasig City, Philippines 1600
(From Henri Chambre, Professor, Institute of Social Studies, Catholic Institute of
Paris, 1947–78. Associate Director of the Laboratory, College of France, Paris,
1968–73. Author of De Karl Marx à Lénine et Mao Tsé-toung)
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Marxism
http://www.youtube.com/user/lizvoges1#p/u/16/Ri2lh6ZB4LU
https://image.slidesharecdn.com/sociologyexchangecouk-shared-resource4170-
120627073037-phpapp01/95/sociologyexchangecouk-shared-resource-8-
728.jpg?cb=1340782274
https://rdln.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/takethebigbag.jpg?w=233&h=300
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-
C7Hg4y0UIBQ/V15216TdcLI/AAAAAAAALro/F1NY1_5doUYSmbelCvoDZAZhZpJ
DzwsVgCKgB/s1600/Molave_tropical_theferns_info.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ce/62/91/ce6291dfef3b5e50a7548cf6c26d7593.jpg
https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.AfPfQInVuSpwzLIwK34QkgHaIP&pid=Api&P=0&
w=300&h=300
https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.QFPp1ditfQ92taQ15dpTwQHaHa&pid=Api&P=0
&w=300&h=300
https://libraryofprofessionalcoaching.com/wp-app/wp-
content/uploads/2013/04/002qq-850x491.jpg
https://64dollarquestion.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/downloadfile-
11896010240968370410.jpg
https://static.vecteezy.com/system/resources/previews/000/554/314/original/green
-energy-and-save-environment-concept-human-head-with-brain-man-and-dog-
are-running-in-city-parks-creating-a-new-idea-background-vector.jpg
https://cardinaldirections.weebly.com/uploads/6/2/6/8/6268585/4307359.png?41
1
https://pm1.narvii.com/5781/3f5d579f87c1ef0c31ee6a4b2e7f40045dfd927e_hq.jpg

84
 Department of Education Division Rizal

Office Address: DepEd Bldg.,Cabrera Rd.,Bgy. Dolores,Taytay,Rizal 1920

Telephone number: 09274562115/09615294771