REVIEWER IN UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND

POLITICS
LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS
Identity is the distinctive characteristic that defines an individual or is shared by those belonging
to a particular group.
Identity can also change overtime of a person’s lifetime.
Identities are important because they shape both individual and group behavior as well as
people’s views about other people and society.
SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND POLITICAL CHANGE
Rapidly- advancing technology also has profound implications for sociocultural and political
change.
The phenomenon of international migration has also changed Filipino identities and beliefs.
ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, AND POLITICAL SCIENCE
Social sciences. Comprised of a wide array of academic disciplines that study the overall
functions of society as well as the interactions among its individual members and institutions.
Anthropology is the systematic study of the biological, cultural, and social aspects of man.
Social anthropology studies how social patterns and practices and cultural variations develop
across different societies.
Cultural anthropology studies cultural variation develop across different societies and
examines the need to understand each culture in its own context.
Linguistic anthropology studies language and discourse and how they reflect and shape
different aspects of human society and culture.
Biological or physical anthropology studies the origins of humans as well as the interplay
between social factors and the processes of human evolution.
Archeology meanwhile deals with prehistoric societies by studying their tools and environment.
Sociology is defined by Anthony Giddens as “the study of human social life, groups, and
society.”
Political science is the systematic study of politics.
Political science focuses on the fundamental values of equality, freedom, and justice and its
processes are linked to the dynamics of conflict, resolution, and cooperation.
Public administration examines how the government functions and how decisions and policies
are made.
Political economy evaluates the interplay between economics, politics, and law and its
implications to the various institutions within society.
Comparative politics compares domestic politics and governance systems across different
sovereign states.
LESSON 2: UNDERSTANDING CULTURE AND SOCIETY
Society is a group of individuals sharing a common culture, geographical location, and
government.
A society is characterized by the presence of the following elements
a) Social solidarity
b) Shared identity and culture
c) Common language
d) Large population and the ability to sustain succeeding generations.
 e) Definite geographical area
f) Political, economic, and social organization.
Social scientist have also identified five major type of societies according how they changed and
develop overtime.
Hunting and Gathering communities date as far back as several million years ago and were
considered the first societies. Hunting and gathering activities and distributed the accumulated
food supply.
Horticultural and pastoral society’s emergence was brought about by the gradual shift from
hunting and gathering lifestyle to a more sedentary life, and the introduction of agriculture as
more stable food production method.
Agricultural society’s food production become more efficient due to the new methods of
farming, the invention of more advanced tools, and the establishment of permanent settlements.
Industrial society’s technological advancements resulted in the invention of machines and
factories that improved production of goods and services.
Post- industrial society’s knowledge is a commodity and technological innovation is key to
long- lasting growth and development.
Culture is one of the important bases that define and influence a society.
There are two primary categories of culture:
Material culture is composed of the physical or tangible objects produced, shared, and utilized
within society, such as tools or implements, paintings and other works of art, architectural styles,
weaponry and toys.
Nonmaterial culture consists of intangible properties and elements of society that influence the
patterns of action and behavior of its members.
Symbols refer things that convey meaning or represent an idea.
Language is as set of symbols that enables members of society to communicate verbally
(spoken) and nonverbally (written, gestures).
Values are shared ideas, norms, and principles that provide members of society the standards
that pertain to what is right and wrong, good or bad, desirable or undesirable.
Norms are shared rules of conduct that determine specific behavior among society members.
Folkways are norms that may be violated without serious consequences.
Mores are norms with moral connotations.
Laws are norms that are legally enacted and enforced.
Socialization refers to the lifelong process of forging identity through social interaction.
Enculturation refers to the process by which an individual learns or acquires the important
aspects of his or her society’s culture.
Context refers to particular circumstances of a certain culture and is defined by location,
weather, time period, and other factors.
Relativistic approach considers cultures as equal. This view holds that there are no “superior”
and “inferior” cultures, and each is unique in its own way.
Ethnocentric approach is the belief that one’s native culture is superior to other cultures.
Ethnocentrism diminishes or invalidates “other” ways of life and creates a distorted view of
one’s own.
Xenocentrism refers to the desire to engage in the elements of another's culture rather than one's
own. Styles, ideas and products can all be items of preference by someone with xenocentrist
viewpoints.
Sociology relates culture with the overall context of social order.
Cultural relativism which recognizes and accepts the cultural differences between societies.
Structural functionalism operates on the assumption that society is a stable and orderly system.
Conflict theory assumes that there is a constant power struggle among the various social groups
and institutions within society.
Symbolic interactionism views individual and group behavior and social interactions as
defining features of society.
Multiculturalism an ideology that acknowledge and promotes cultural diversity within society.
Cultural sensitivity advances awareness and acceptance of cultural differences but encourages a
critical stance in dealing with issues regarding diversity.