Understanding Society, Culture &
e, practices, and
Politics
Branches of Social Sciences
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Political Science
Sociology is the scientific study of a
society —its origin, development,
networks, and functions.
Anthropology
- dubbed as the “science of humanity”
- It is the study of human
beings, their origin, societies, and their
culture
Four Fields of Discipline
• Physical Anthropology - Focus
on humans as a biological
• organism.
• Cultural Anthropology -
Investigates the contrasting
ways of groups of people
think, feel and behave.
(e.g Lotus Feet, Slurping)
• Archeology - Recover
information about
human cultures by studying
material samples.
(e.g Laguna Copperplate,
Manunggul Jar)
• Linguistic Anthropology - Study
the Nature and nuances of
language.
Political Science
- The study of politics, its institutions,
and processes. (Science of
governance)
- It covers matters relating to the
allocation, of power, the roles, and
Social Institutions
systems of governance, political
behavior, and public places.
Society
a. Social (i.e, actions and
interactions)
b. Cultural (i.
traditions)
c. Political (i.e, power relations)
• is defined as a group of people
living together to organized
communities, following common
laws, values, customs, and
traditions.
• is defined as constituting a fairly
large number of people who are
living in the same territory, are
relatively independent of people
outside their area, and
participate in a common culture.
• The term was used in mid-16th
century, originating from the
Latin words socius and
societas, which mean
“companion” and from the
French term société meaning
“companionship”.
• Every human being belongs to
a certain society – including you
for instance.
• Your neighbors
• friends
• Classmates
• Teachers
• As you grow older, your
expands your relationship from
the family to:
• neighbors
• friends
• classmates
• teachers
• You become a part of a:
• school
• religion
• an organization
• is defined as an organized
system of social relationship
that represent a society’s
common values and
procedures.
6 Recognized Institutions of the
Society
• Family
• Education
• Economy
• Government
• Media
• Religion
Family
• considered as the bedrock or
foundation of the society.
Education
• the formal institution
designates to preserve and
transfer cultural knowledge and
identity to the members of a
society.
Economy
• the social institution generally
responsible for the production
and the allocation of scarce
resources and services.
Government
• a social institution which
states policy and law are enforced.
Media
• the institution which states
policy and law are enforced.
Religion
• an organized collection of
beliefs intended to explain the
meaning, origin, and purpose of
life and existence.
Culture
• is the complex whole
encompassing beliefs,
practices, values, attitudes,
laws, norms, artifacts, symbols,
and knowledge that a person
learns and shares as a member
of society. (e.g Eating balut,
Kissing the hands of elders
Using Ethnic Dress/Costumes)
Characteristics of Culture
1. Culture is Social because it is
the product of behavior – it is a
product of society thru social
interaction.
2. Culture Varies from Society to
a. Society – The Culture of
each society has its own
identity thus it differs
from each other.
3. Culture is Shared – Culture is
not something individual alone
can possess. Norms, Traditions,
Taboos and religions are all
shared by the society.
4. Culture is learned – Culture is
not in born.
5. Culture is transmitted among
members of Society.
6. Culture is continuous and
cumulative.
7. Culture is gratifying and
idealistic- provides proper
opportunities for the satisfaction
of our needs.
Culture
Culture involves both Tangible and
Intangible Components.
Tangible - Arts that was considered
as a cultural heritage such as
Philippine Artifacts.
Intangible Components - National
Anthem, Literary creations such as
music, dance, and poetry.
Aspects of Culture
• Enculturation – Gradual
acquisition of the characteristics
and norms of a culture or group
by a person of another culture.
• Culture Shock - Happens when
an individual is exposed or
encounter a new culture for the
first time.
 • Ethnocentrism
• The belief that your culture
is superior and the other are
inferior.
• Xenocentrism - The belief of
being inferior from another
culture.
• Xenophobia - The fear of what
perceived is foreign or strange.
• Cultural Relativism - The idea
that all norms, beliefs and
traditions are dependent on
their cultural context and should
be treated as such.
Belief
• The feeling of being certain
that something exists or is
true.
• Something that is accepted,
considered to be true, or
held as an opinion.
• Feeling of uncertainty that
something exists, is true or
is good.
Examples (Filipino) Beliefs:
• Serve pancit (noodles) at
celebrations, especially
birthdays
• Be careful when showing
fondness over babies
• Don’t go straight home after
attending a wake
• Fitting your wedding dress
prior to your wedding day
will cost you your life.
• When three people pose for
a picture, the one at the
center will be the first to die
• Sweeping the floor at night
will bring you bad luck.
• Crossing paths with a black
cat is a bad omen.
• Bringing home food served
at a wake or a funeral will
bring bad luck.
• If a person bites his tongue,
it means somebody is
thinking of him.
• You should not sit on a
pillow because it will mean
slow recovery from an
illness.
Filipino Practices
• Pagmamano
• Panliligaw
• Filipino Time
• Inability to say No
• Faith and Religiosity
• Hardwork
• Hospitality
Filipino Attitude
A settled way of thinking or feeling
about someone or something,
typically, one that is reflected in a
person's behavior.
• Crab Mentality
• Ningas-Kugon
• Manana habit
• Colonial Mentality
• Bahala Na Attitude
• Corruption
• Excessive Partying
• Balikbayan box Mentality
Norms - An accepted standard or a
way of behaving
or doing things that most people agree
with.
Example:
• Time is worth little
• Rice is a staple part diet among
Filipinos.
Philippine Cultural Artifact
• An object such as tool that was
made in the past.
• Any object made by human
work; esp., a simple or primitive
tool, weapon, vessel, etc.
• Ex: Suyod, Bunot, Palayok,
Bakya, Tricycle, Kulambo
Philippine Cultural Knowledge
• Pag may tiyaga, may nilaga.
• Kung pukulin ka ng bato,
tinapay ang iganti mo.
• Hangga't makitid ang kumot,
matutong mamaluktot.
• Mahirap mamatay ang
masamang damo.
• Magsisi ka man at huli wala
nang mangyayari.

Filipino Idiomatic Expression

• Para kang sirang plaka
• Butas ang bulsa
• Kabiyak ng dibdib
• Daga sa dibdib
• Haligi ng tahanan
• Ilaw ng tahanan
• Utang na loob
• Nagsusunog ng kilay
• May gatas pa sa labi
• Papunta ka pa lang pabalik na
ako.