MODULE 3

ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELF

Learning Outcomes

After the learning session, the students are able to:

1. increase awareness of the various dimensions of anthropology and

its influence on self-concept;

2. understand how each culture develop a unique cultural lens; and

3. examine their own cultural identity from a global perspective;

INTRODUCTION

This chapter seeks to explore the role selfhood plays in defining human society,
and each human individual in that society. It considers the genetic and cultural origins
of self, the role that self plays in socialization and language, and the types of self we
generate in our individual journeys to and through adulthood.

ANTHROPOLOGY

● The study of human societies and cultures and their development

● It is concerned with how cultural and biological processes interact to shape

human experience

SELF AS EMBEDDED IN CULTURE

 The most influence in terms of self-concept is family’s history, basically referring to

the culture one has been brought up in, and the experiences he or she has
undergone.
 CULTURE – is the set of unwritten norms of conduct guide the behavior of a group
 ENCULTURATION – is the social process which culture is learned and transmitted
 ERDMAN’s STUDY – his findings demonstrated that different cultural memories are
brought about by early childhood years and persist into adulthood.
 CULTURE (EDWARD TAYLOR) – Is a complex whole which includes knowledge,
belief, art, morals, laws, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired
by man.

UTS – (3) Anthropological Perspective of the Self ©Maize’

MATERIAL AND NON-MATERIAL CULTURE

 MATERIAL CULTURE- refers to the physical objects, resources, and spaces that
people use to define their culture. These include homes, neighborhoods, cities,
schools, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, offices, factories and plants,
tools, means of production, goods and products, stores, and so forth.
 NON-MATERIAL CULTURE- refers to the nonphysical ideas that people have about
their culture, including beliefs, values, rules, norms, morals, language,
organizations, and institutions.

TWO ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELF

 Egocentric- a concept of the self where the self is seen as an autonomous and
distinct individual.
 Socio-centric- according to this view, there is no intrinsic self that can possess
enduring qualities.

THREE-PHASED RITE OF PASSAGE BY ARNOLD VAN GENNEP

 Separation Phase- in this phase, people detach from their former identity to
another
 Liminality Phase- in this phase, a person transitions from one identity to another
 Incorporation Phase- in this phase, the change in one's status is officially
incorporated

Anthony Wallace and Raymond Fogelson- coined the term "identity struggles"

Identity Struggles- a term coined by Wallace and Fogelson to characterize interaction in

which there is a discrepancy between the identity a person claims to possess and the
identity attributed to that person by other.

Self-identification- in order to attain this, individuals have to overcome many obstacles

Katherine Ewing- formulated the "Illusion of Wholeness"

Illusion of Wholeness- implies that the cohesiveness and continuity of self are only illusory

Cultural Differences- exists when groups of people assign different meanings to different
life events and things

UTS – (3) Anthropological Perspective of the Self ©Maize’

KEY TERMS

Social Identities- people construct their self-identity from the similarities and differences
in characteristics among individuals.

Family Membership- the most significant feature to determine a person's social identity.

Language- viewed as an essential for the maintenance of group identity.

Religious Affiliation- an important marker for group identity in a given society.

Name- an important device to individualize a person and legitimize him or her as a

member of a social group.

UTS – (3) Anthropological Perspective of the Self ©Maize’